Emaar chairman criticises media for Dubai coverage

National Staff

• Last Updated: November 20. 2009 12:49PM UAE / November 20. 2009 8:49AM GMT

Mohammed Alabbar, the chairman of Emaar Properties today criticized the media for “crossing the line” in its reporting on Dubai during the financial crisis.

He made his remarks at the opening of the World Economic Forum Summit on the Global Agenda in Dubai.

“The city has been in the news for many years. During the crisis we were also in the news and unfortunately some of our colleagues in the media crossed the line.”

Mr Alabbar said that the population of the emirate had increased by 400,000 in the last year and was on course to register economic growth of 5 per cent this year.

It represents the most bullish economic outlook yet from a government official and exceeds most other estimates from economists and the International Monetary Fund.
Last month Sultan al Mansouri, the UAE Minister of Economy said he expected the country to register 1.3 per cent growth in 2009.

Hundreds of business leaders, economists and academics are gathering in the city for the WEF sumit which will conclude on Sunday.

*The National