BUSINESS & JOBS

At the base of the Burj Khalifa lie four new outdoor event venues. In this exclusive photo special, DPME.com takes you on a tour of the Burj Steps, Burj Park, Burj Plaza and Emaar Boulevard. Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently made the bold, but not surprising, statement that Dubai is back. According to him, the city is clawing its way out of the depths of economic troubles and is experiencing a surge in morale and financial stability.

The company made a healthy profit of Dh359m on those sales, but it lost high-end office buildings that were yielding returns as high as 10 per cent a year. At least one of the buildings was among the sought-after Emaar Square properties near the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

A who’s who of the region’s MICE, events and entertainment industry gathered on Wednesday night at the Armani Hotel in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa for an evening of networking in a social setting. The first in a series of networking events organised by those behind the Middle East Event Show, it was a great way to connect with potential clients, meet new suppliers and network with fellow industry professionals in an informal atmosphere, according to those that attended. The night is planned to run every second month, with this next event to be held in January.

A former employee of a hotel in the world's tallest building yesterday admitted peddling stolen goods for Dh300,000 in cash. A Dh53,000 Rolex watch swiped from the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa led to the discovery of the money in the home of the South African waiter.

International water feature specialist Crystal is delighted to have supported major contemporary artist Jaume Plensa, on the 'World Voices' sculpture at the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai, U.A.E. Commissioned by EMAAR Properties. The art installation has the pride of place in the Burj Khalifa's dramatic residential entrance lobby in the iconic tower - now the world's tallest building.

Eager crowds may catch their final glimpses of Tom Cruise this week as filming outside the Burj Khalifa for Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol wraps up. The Hollywood star has been dangling off the world's tallest tower this week, reprising his role as Ethan Hunt in the fourth instalment of the spy thrillers. On Saturday, he dropped down to the observation tower on the 124th floor to the shock - and delight - of tourists inside.

Airberlin, Germany’s second-largest airline announced it will launch the first-ever nonstop flight service between Dubai and the German capital, Berlin. The announcement of the new route, which will launch on 4 November, was made at a press conference held in the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai.

The 2010 outlook excludes the impact of a claim relating to Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower in Dubai, the statement said. The company had made a net loss 103.6 million dirhams in the first half of the year due to the Burj Khalifa claim, it said in August. The firm said it is positioned for about 20 percent growth in 2011 and 2012. It is also expanding into new territories like Yemen, Angola and Abu Dhabi.

With only about 75 of the 900 apartments in the tower occupied, asking rents in the tower have fallen almost 50 percent, Better Homes sales adviser Laura Adams told Gulf News. Studio apartments are now available for about $1,800 a month, down from $3,000, while two-bedroom units once priced at $7,100 a month now rent for about $4,300.

The story of Emirates whose success is intertwined with the rapid development of Dubai could be nothing but fascinating. Against a backdrop of regional unrest and volatile global economies, progress has been maintained at a rapid pace in every year of Emirates’ and Dnata’s existence. The following is a timeline of the airline’s history.