The mystery of the missing masses

The mystery of the missing masses

Officials say the UAE did not witness a mass exodus because of the global financial crisis. But what about all those people who lost their jobs?

January 4, 2010 11:11 by Aarti Nagraj

The UAE did not see a mass exodus of residents in 2009 because of the global financial crisis, says Major General Nasser al-Awadi al-Menhali, the interior ministry’s assistant undersecretary of Naturalization, Residency and Exits Affairs by proxy.

“Statistics that were available at Naturalization and Residency Department last year refute what foreign media said on the presence of mass exodus or cancellation of collective residences due to the impact of international financial crisis on UAE,” he told Emirates Business.

“The total number of cancelled collective residences in 2009 was lower than 2007 and 2008 and there was no real or remarkable increase in the number of cancelled collective residences in 2009. This confirms UAE economy is still sound,” he added.

Around 21,065,229 people entered the country through air, land and sea outlets in 2009. “This figure is the biggest evidence UAE was, and is still, attractive,” said Al-Menhali. “In addition, the figure is higher than the one registered in 2007 and 2008.”

He added that a total of 20, 682, 623 people left the UAE during the year.

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Tags: Dubai, exodus, Financial Crisis, jobs, redundant, residency, UAE