Despite the trying economic times, analysts say fundamentals in the Middle East are sound and businesses are going back to basics. Managing director for business development at the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) Abdulla Al Awar remains haltingly optimistic about the outlook for the centre and the region. He denies there is a property bubble in the Emirate, he says the DIFC grew in 2008. He points to niche financial segments - such as Islamic finance and family offices - as the way forward for Dubai and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Here are some of his thoughts.
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