As a former expat, I found the feature on Dubai (8 August, page 34) very interesting. However, it was obvious from your leader column (page 3) that Building thinks the emirate's economic boom may be quickly followed by bust. This reminded me of one of many site office debates 20 years ago in which a pessimistic colleague forcefully stated that in 20 years' time Freddie Laker would be offering cut-price holidays from the UK to visit the cobweb-shrouded follies of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

History proves he was wrong on both counts.

It may be just as wrong to bet against the Maktoums now.

Postscript

Graham Stow, via email.