TRAVEL ANECDOTES

In this book of carefully compiled articles, Mr. Qassim Sultan relates some of his most interesting experiences while travelling around the world on official missions. He shares these anecdotes to entertain as well as to draw attention to different realities and practices around the world. In the preface, Mr. Qassim Sultan explain that even though he is not a writer by profession, he writes mostly to share his fascinating adventures in the hope that it will amuse and enlighten the 'armchair travelers' out there.

STRANGE WORLD: A JOURNEY BEHIND DOORS OF LETTERS

This book encompasses Mr. Qassim Sultans reactions to his readers most passionate and interesting commentaries. His readers include a lot of friends, well-wishers and critics who come forward to express their opinions about his column entitled “Istarahatul Bayan” or the 'Bayan Intermission'.

ON THE WINGS OF PAPER

This book is collection of articles written by Mr. Qassim Sultan, in Al Bayan newspaper, that focus on the worlds current political events and how they affect the Arab and Islamic world.

THE YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSFORMATION

Dubai: from small village to global city (ISBN978-9948-15-266-8) This book reviews the history and achievements of Dubai Municipality from its creation in 1954 until the end of 2002, tracing the development of the Municipality itself as well as of its various projects, and linking these to the growth of Dubai itself.

Any study of the history of Dubai over the last forty years that looks at its social, economic and administrative development has to focus on the Dubai municipality. The Municipality has been responsible for administering both the city itself and the emirate as a whole in a variety of areas. Ever since it was created, the Municipality has sought to stay abreast of the latest developments in municipal administration and to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to it, in accordance with the vision of His Highness the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the founder of modern Dubai. Today, of course, credit for the continued process of achievement is due to the man who has inspired the modern development of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, and his honored brothers. In this book, Mr. Qassim Sultan seeks not only to describe current conditions but also, through statistical data, to portray the nature of the development that has taken place, thus reflecting the enormous strides that have been made by the city and by the emirate as a whole. This data will help readers to understand the exciting transformation through which Dubai has passed, by providing accurately documented information.

A key focus of the book is the period between 1985 and 2002, a period of less than twenty years which has seen an enormous change in the nature of the work undertaken by the Municipality. Over that seventeen year period, the Municipality has, as this book shows, attained and, at times, surpassed, the standards of similar bodies in some of the world's most advanced cities.

Arabic

DOORS AND WINDOWS

A series of selected articles from Al Bayan newspaper covering the authors analysis of various social and political topics as they affect the world generally and the Arab and Islamic world specifically.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF COMMITTEES TASKS 2003

Mr. Qassim Sultan was appointed to lead the executive committee responsible for organizing the hosting of the annual meetings of the boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which took place in September 2003. The book describes the process of planning the event in Dubai.

This mission was one of Mr. Qassim Sultan greatest challenges. Through this experience, he was able to convey the UAE’s message to the whole world, that it is a civilized country which has the capabilities and the human resources to organize and host world events and receive leading global economic decision-makers in state-of-the-art facilities and all around high caliber standards.

Accommodating the event required a budget to cover the construction of the meeting venue and other expenses like equipment, human resources in all sectors, accommodation, transport, marketing and other activities, a venture amounting to approximately AED 750 Million. The road to success was paved in April 2000 with the establishment of the Dubai 2003 Secretariat, an office that began with one employee working on a part-time basis at the Dubai Municipality offices. By September 2003, the number of employees working full-time on the project reached 120.

The total number of people registered to attend the meetings reached 18,672 from 184 countries; 1,690 of them representing the media.

As a result of the great efforts of all the committees the 2003 annual meetings were described as “the best ever” thanks largely to the efficient work carried out by the diligent efforts of the Dubai 2003 office staff. Office personnel were instrumental in ensuring the requirements of the Joint Secretariat which were not covered by the requirements manual, such as audio visual requirements, communications, customs procedures, immigration and exemption details, food and beverage requirements, insurance matters, personnel requirements, printing and paper requirements, Seminars, photography services, social events and ‘other requirements’ which encompassed the provision of on-site banking services, logo development, content coordination and production of numerous required information manuals and printed matter for participants, event staffing needs, coordination with offices of the Host Government, and protocol matters related to distinguished guests and visitors, coordinating the registration processes and badge distribution for all people associated with the event and gifts for all participants. Office staff also provided efficient and appropriate committee support to the various Dubai2003 committees and played a role in managing relations with various government bodies including the Ministry of Finance and Industry, the Central Bank of the UAE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also played a role in managing the relationship with the Joint Secretariat of the World Bank Group and the IMF.

Most of the participants gave positive feedback about their experience in the UAE, such as Mr. James Wolfenson, President of the world Bank who said that the Dubai International Convention Centre is an exceptional venue, “This was the first time we met in the Middle East and therefore I consider the Meetings absolutely excellent. I felt quite happy for being in Dubai and I would like to express my sincere congratulations to the authorities in Dubai for the carrying out the mission in such an excellent manner. The unique facilities were made available in a relatively short period of time. we received excellent care and tremendous hospitality during our stay here”.

Also Mr. Horst Koehler, Managing Director of the IMF who said “We have waited quite a long time to hold the Annual Meetings in the Middle East and I must say that the people of this Region contributed a lot in the human civilization and our presence here confirms the importance of strengthening our relationship with the region. Mr. Kaspar Villiger, Minister of Finance, Switzerland said that if Switzerland were to host an event of this magnitude in the future it would not hesitate to seek the help of the Dubai 2003 team in the organization and staging of the event.

Additionally, all the attendees of the Dubai 2003 annual meetings enjoyed the organization, speed, accuracy and high standards. Many recommendations were also given for improvement, to help make the Dubai International Convention Centre suitable to host the biggest international events. The general recommendation stated: “There is absolutely no doubt that the UAE in general, and Dubai in particular, is capable of achieving increased success in the realm of hosting international events. A clearer definition of the roles designated to the different committees, early appointment of the planning team; approval of the event’s organizational framework with clear guidelines governing internal communications would help ensure continued success. In addition, precisely defined responsibilities regarding budget management and approval processes, the appointment of an effective managerial team at an early stage, and a comprehensive plan for strategic communications will also help ensure continued success in this realm.

CONVERSATION OF THE PAPERS

The book includes local and Arabic papers in various fields, the author is researching the additions which might be accomplished and discussed in order to upgrade and match with the current era.

STATIONS IN LIFE AFFAIRS AND ANXIETIES

Number of articles poses different cases annexed in Al Bayan papers, and known to readers at that time as position on an issue, opinion on a subject, or dialogue on a matter. Because we live in a world without geographical boundaries nor end to events or crises, the writer interacted with each event according to its circumstances and expressed it with his pen.

QASIM SULTAN 50 YEARS IN SPORT - MOHAMMED JOKAR