Reality check ‘is good for Dubai’

As Dubai restructures during a global economic crisis that has hit its vital property, finance and tourism markets, some people say the downturn has been good news for the emirate.

Nabil Alyousuf is one of them. A former director general of the Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, he worked closely with many prominent business leaders during the boom years.

Today, he is one of a growing number of people looking to rebuild the Dubai economy on entrepreneurial, rather than speculative, foundations.