United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, having recorded an average 10% annual growth over the last three years. Within UAE, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have become important trading posts, with Dubai enjoying a construction and real estate boom to cater for the escalating tourist trade. EC Harris is working alongside leading clients across the region to deliver iconic world class projects.

With over 600 staff in the region EC Harris is working on a wide range of projects.  Dubai Industrial City is a large scheme that will create a new city with 700 million sq. ft of industrial facilities plus residential and commercial developments. Atlantis - The Palm - a luxurious resort on Palm Island in Dubai comprises a 1,500-room hotel, a 27,000 sq.ft retail centre, and marine and freshwater aquarium exhibits. Central Market Development is a prestigious and fully integrated mixed-use scheme in the heart of Abu Dhabi, and Al Raha Beach is the transformation of the eight-kilometre water frontage into a new district that will create a unique gateway to the city.

EC Harris has also formed a joint venture with Sama Dubai, the real estate and investment arm of Dubai Holding, to deliver nine investment programmes in the Middle East with a value of US$ 38bn

With such an array of challenging projects, the prospects to develop your professional career in the UAE couldn’t be better, but the federation also offers a superb (tax-free) quality of life. Dubai and Abu Dhabi both provide a family-orientated society where security is high and crime rates low, and where there is an excellent selection of international schools. Expats make up 94% of the population in Dubai, so it’s easy to make friends. The environment is multi-cultural, open and free, and there is a huge variety of social clubs and events to bring people together. Shopping is first class, with supermarkets catering for all nationalities. On the sporting scene, people enjoy cricket, football and rugby as part of the expat community, or drive 4x4s in the desert – dune bashing as it’s called! And finally, of course, there is the glorious weather that sees temperatures hitting 40 ºC in summer.