Dubai Opens the Worlds Biggest Shopping Mall

The world's biggest shopping mall opens in Dubai next month amid predictions that it will create new investment in the high growth retail sector. There is no sign of the depression of the credit crunch in Dubai where confidence is soaring: There is no let up in the growth of the retail, commercial and residential construction boom.
Dubai Mall expects to attract 30 million shoppers in its first year. With its 1,200 retail units, two anchor department stores and over 120 food and beverage outlets, even more visitors are likely to be attracted by access to the Burj Dubai observatory tower.
Prestigious Galleries Lafayette, France's leading lifestyle retailer, is the first department store to open in the mall, their first shop outside of the European Union. The Fashion Avenue section of the mall will have over 70 haute couture stores.
The Dubai Mall will also feature the Gold Souk, the largest of its kind in the world, which will showcase a collection of over 220 of the region's gold and jewellery retailers.
With an adjoining 5 star hotel, the opening is also expected to bring added value to those who have invested in the 450 serviced apartments.

Plans have been discussed to extend the Dubai Metro system, which is currently under construction, to neighbouring emirate Ajman.
Although the project is still very much in its "proposal phase", this surprise news is aimed at meeting the growing demand for a public transport system that will connect the Emirates.

According to the proposal, the metro will pass through Emirates Road to Al Corniche in Ajman. From there it will go to Al Zawra and then onto new investment areas currently under development. Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department has, however, stressed that this proposal is only in discussion and many considerations still have to be made.