Dutch Prime Minister makes a Special Visit to Waterfront

As part of his visit to the Middle East, the Dutch Prime Minister, Mr. Jan Peter Balkenende made a special request to visit some of Nakheel's projects and in particular, Waterfront, the world's largest waterfront development.

Accompanied by Khalid A. Bin Sulayem Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai and Mohammed Sharaf, CEO of Dubai Ports International, the Dutch Prime Minister visited the Nakheel Sales Centre, where he was greeted by Mr. Khaled Issa Al Huraimel, General Manager of Madinat Al Arab, the first phase of Waterfront.

Nakheel's waterfront developments were of particular interest to Mr. Balkenende, as the reclamation method used in creating the landforms has been widely used in The Netherlands. Mr Balkenende commented on the extraordinary investment in the transformation of Dubai's waterfront and noted that the involvement of Dutch companies in the creation of the developments provided greater significance for Dutch investors. He expressed a keen interest in Waterfront, being impressed by the scale, logistical requirements and dynamics of the development taking place on the last waterfront in the Emirate.

Mr. Khaled Issa Al Huraimel, General Manager, Madinat Al Arab said, «This visit has been of great importance to Nakheel, Waterfront and Madinat Al Arab. The international market is a key target for the development, which aims to house a world-class cosmopolitan city, offering a rich experience to people from all cultures.

The visit provided us with an opportunity to talk at length about the creation of the development and the impact Waterfront will have on the long term future of Dubai. It also provided us with an opportunity to work towards closer cooperation with Dutch enterprises.» Waterfront, the largest waterfront development in the world, will provide a world-class destination to its 500,000-750,000 residents creating a city bigger than Manhattan. Comprising of ten distinct district zones it is located on the last remaining coastline in Dubai offering investors a lifetime investment and an extraordinary experience to residents and visitors alike. Waterfront plans to be the most sought after destination in the world and a centre of international culture, entertainment, education and business.

Madinat Al Arab, the first district zone, is the nucleus of the entire Waterfront development and will create the downtown and central business district at the heart of the project. Stretching from The Palm, Jebel Ali to the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border and occupying the majority of the sea facing land, the area is heavily influenced by water, with a canal winding its way through the district, and a major harbor and marina. Anchored by Al Burj, one of the tallest buildings in the world Madinat Al Arab will be considered the New Gateway of Dubai.