Although the emirate’s economic growth can be primarily attributed to its vast hydrocarbons resources, it has also made progress diversifying into new sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, aerospace, defence, finance and logistics. In addition to its economic investments, Abu Dhabi has also made major contributions to social welfare as well as infrastructure, which has been identified as the bedrock for future growth. The government has played a key role in the expansion of the security, aerospace and defence industry over the past decade in an effort to strengthen the UAE’s defence capabilities and as a means of boosting economic diversification. Despite challenges such as a high level of regional competition, most local defence and aviation firms expect to see continued expansion for years to come. The evidence suggests that the emirate has succeeded in nurturing new economic sectors and is on track to meet its goals. The oil and gas sector accounted for 56.5% of Abu Dhabi’s GDP at current prices in 2012, followed by construction (9.6%), manufacturing (5.9%) and real estate (4.4%).

Subdued oil prices prompted a trimmed federal budget for 2016 as the UAE, like other countries in the region, tightened its belt in response to falling hydrocarbons revenues. However, a sustained focus on economic diversification and targeted investment in Abu Dhabi’s key non-oil sectors in recent years means the emirate is well positioned to weather the storm. Looking forward, plans for future development are mapped out in Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, a comprehensive economic policy document that aims to reduce dependence on oil and gas, thereby creating a more sustainable knowledge-based economy for the emirate and its inhabitants. Aided by hydrocarbons reserves that are among the world’s largest and substantial financial resources, Abu Dhabi has built up a strong foundation to become a regional leader and an increasingly important global player in a wide variety of sectors, including oil and gas, financial services, health care, aviation and renewable energy.

The construction industry is one of the most booming industries in the world. In particular, in the United Arab Emirates this industry has experienced a constant growth over the course of the last few years. Driven by the UAE’s oil wealth, the country has witnessed an unmatched development and transformation. Oil revenues have lead to a driving construction boom and completely change the face of the state. The construction industry is still one of the engines of economic growth in the UAE. One of the highest concentrations of cranes in the world speaks volumes about the incredible pace of construction taking place, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but also in the other emirates. The fact that about 30,000, or 24 percent of the world's 125,000 construction cranes are currently operating in the region speaks for itself. The UAE’s construction projects stands out clearly from building projects in other parts of the world, due to the fact that there is no constraint on constructional imagination and there is no place in the world where construction moves as fast as in the UAE. With some of the most innovative mega projects such as "Burj Khalifa" (the tallest building in the world), or "The Palm Jumeirah", "The Palm Jebel Ali" and "The Palm Deira" (the world’s largest man-made islands) with epithets of world’s biggest, best, and tallest the UAE construction industry remains unbeaten. The construction industry is a complex environment in which each organization is faced with numerous opportunities and threats. This book provides an in-depth analysis of the fast growing construction industry in the UAE, while scanning the construction business for opportunities and threats. This book implements the PESTEL analysis that will be used to analyze the UAE’s construction industry. The main objective of the research reported in this book is to identify the factors in the macro-environment that might affect an organization. Having the PESTEL context, this output is used to execute a SWOT analysis. The PESTEL factors combined with external micro-environmental factors are classified as opportunities and threats in a SWOT analysis. Thus, this research also aims to identify the opportunities and threats in the construction business. This study does not assess company’s internal strengths and weaknesses. Through strategic analysis of the UAE’s construction business this book creates an adequate framework that helps participants of the construction business to take advantage of opportunities while protecting them from threats.

This book seeks to present a comprehensive overview of the Palestine issue, its historical background, as well as its modern and contemporary developments. The book, in a documented, methodical, and concise style, and in plain language, delves into the history of Palestine from its early history throughout the Islamic era, and the background of the emergence of the Zionist movement, as well as the British occupation of Palestine and the founding of Israel. The book analyzes the various phases of the Palestine issue and its developments, shedding light on the struggle of the Palestinian people, their uprisings and revolutions, and the role of the Palestine Liberation Organization and its factions, as well as the role of the Palestinian Islamic movements. The book places particular emphasis on the first two decades of the twenty-first century, so that the reader would be able to obtain a clear picture about many of the issues related to the contemporary aspects of the Palestinian question. The revised and updated edition of the book covers the period up to the year 2021, and contains a large collection of pictures and maps to illustrate its points. The book is an important source for readers seeking to acquaint themselves with the Palestine issue, and to become informed of the pertinent facts in a balanced manner. It can also serve as an introduction to further studies of the Palestine issue.