This is amazing transformation.
I don't think Oil wealth that is the only factor that has contributed to development of UAE and Dubai in particular. There are many countries with alot more Oil and Gas Reserves than UAE but are still poor, case in point, Nigeria, Kazakstan, Turkmenistan, etc. They all are much larger than UAE with alot more Oil and Gas. The Key Factor aside from Oil wealth is the far-sightedness and excellent Planning and IMPLEMENTATION of those plans. Planning alone is not enough, we have our leaders always talking big about certain plans but it takes On the Ground Know How, practical skills, intelligence, willpower, commitment, to IMPLEMENT those plans.
I really used to think of Arab Sheikhs and leaders as fat and drunk, careless gamblers, but in almost all the Arab Countries with Oil Wealth, they DID not mismanage the Oil Wealth and in all the Oil rich countries they have passed on the benefits to the common people. By contrast, Nigeria, Sudan, Libya, Vanezuela, Kazakhstan, Turkenistan as still struggle poor countries and yet all these countries have alot of Oil. Arab Countries DO NOT have all the Oil of the world as we think, the biggest Oil producer may be Saudi, but they only have 20% of proven world Oil Reserves.
So, whatever we may think of Arab Sheikhs, most of them, with exception of Iraq, have done a great job. If not for stupid mistakes of Saddam, Iraq would have been just as prosperous and Rich as all its other wealthy neighbors.
So, YES leadership counts alot....
AND you don't need OIL to make your nation Wealthy and prosperous.
Look at Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia (although they have some oil, but that is not their main export), these all ASIAN countries had good leadership planning and commitment and have done wonders in transforming their economies without OIL wealth.
We in Pakistan are always crying and wishing that our country also Should have Oil.. But its NOT Oil, that makes you rich, its Proper Planning and IMPLEMENTATION of those plans, both at the leadership level as well as grassroot level by the people, to properly plan their own lives.
Young people should Study, stay focused, DO NOT think about GIRLS 24/7 and vice versa... LoL... Make something out of yourself, then get married properly, no dating g/f, and all that.... Pray 5 times a day. Stay away from Corruption, cheating on exams, etc. it start from childhood.... and carries over into adulthood.
This will benefit your country at large, when you have become a scientist, an engineer or a Doctor. That is the proper way of developing a nation. All nations develop thru each and every individual that makes up that nation.
The OCEAN is made up of small tiny molecules of Water. So every tiny drop (person), counts, to make an impressive, wealthy prosperous nation.