Hussain Sajwani talks business and the changing Dubai skyline

"In 2020, as a business, we didn't have a crisis because we learned from '09."
In a wide-ranging interview, DAMAC Properties Founder Hussain Sajwani talks the development of Dubai, surviving the 2008 financial crisis, former President Donald Trump, and more.

[@Random.ChanneI]

I love Dubai but there's something that REALLY needs to change asap. And that is the infrastructure. Dubai needs way more alternatives than traveling by car. It's so bad a for a city for so many reasons. Even kids growing up in Dubai will suffer from all the new highways that Dubai keeps building. And the climate isn't an excuse.. Deira is the proof of that. Many people are walking and taking the metro to their destination instead their vehicle. Gated communities are terrible as well. No need for that in one of the safest countries in the world..

[@armandbamerni5792]

its THE problem with Dubai. When you want to cross a street its frustrating. You can see it right in front of you, maybe 50 meters away and you have to walk maybe 1 km just to cross it. Its like you when you are in one area, you just have to stay there. You go to Spain, Italy, Germany or any other country its totaly different case. You can sort of walk your way to the whole city.I understand Dubai is really big but it could be way more interconnected.

[@Random.ChanneI]

@@armandbamerni5792 Let’s hope they will see how concerning this problem actually is. I was super excited to see Abu Dhabi’s plans with better sidewalks and trams. But than again Abu Dhabi is way easier to transform then Dubai..

[@AlexanderGeorge]

Interviewer wanted him to talk bad about Trump, but the man can't be influenced.

[@mydogsteppedona4431]

The west will always think they can tell us what to think. But we have stubborn minds and well spoken tongues, it's genetic. We won't says something wr don't believe 😂😂 Trump rocked.

[@betweenlamppost168]

This CNN guy gets paid by UAE to go there ask few soft silly questions and even then these Emiratis fumble!

[@TheUnique69able]

It’s not their native language, I wonder how well you’ll do in an interview in a foreign language?

[@betweenlamppost168]

@@TheUnique69able it’s just bad visual when the whole purpose of these interviews is to promote UAE, the guy sounds uneducated and must be a hard transition from a goat herder to chairman of the biggest real estate company!

[@mobytrice]

@@betweenlamppost168 Sounds uneducated?! You're grasping at straws here. I'm definitely not a fan of him or developers in general but as an Emirati myself he did more than fine on these softball questions.

[@betweenlamppost168]

@@mobytrice good for you, that’s your opinion and are welcome to it! Wasn’t expecting anything less!

[@SayaraDaCostaSoares]

SAJWANI a REAL Conqueror! Love his discipline

[@iamdavidjehovahsolomonroth6890]

GOD BLESS UAE 🇦🇪 TAKE CARE OF THE FLAG THERE IS REAL BATTLES ONGOING IN SERVER ROOMS TAKE CARE OF OWN EMIRATIS CITIZEN ON TOP PRIORITY NOT ALL BILLIONAIRES INVESTING ARE TOP PRIORITY ZAYED HAD ALL FREE FOR THEIR MEN INCLUDING HOME KINDLY HELP THEM START FROM AL AIN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE ROOT OF UAE TRULY ZAYED

[@amersohail794]

Damac invests more in marketing and sales but their quality of construction and after sales service is worst. The moment you pay or book apartment, they will forget you. Will never treat you as a customer in fact a prisoner who is at their mercy

[@majidalbloki5942]

You have to be careful... we locals suffer alot from some companies who are nothing but theirs.

[@tharakanc]

I'm living in one of the communities built by this person called Akoya Oxygen. They promote this as a luxury golf community. Quality of construction, maintenance, customer care is abysmal.

[@arbaz79]

Abysmal?

[@darkspace3316]

Because it's a budget community made in the middle of the desert.

[@mydogsteppedona4431]

@@darkspace3316 yes our beautiful golden desert

[@betweenlamppost168]

Because they are trying to suck the Oxygen out of you! Welcome to UAE, everything looks rosy until it’s not!

[@propertiesconsultantdubaiu6727]

For Noc You sent us LOA form for signing Seller and buyer But there is mention security for title deed No amount mention Helpline dont know about Now who will help us to tell exact amount which we should mention and downlod the documents Already 5 days delay noc. Pls guide all step to people Your LOA for have lot of things which are not clear

[@creativity2598]

These guys don't wait in long queues in nhs

[@ABStravel]

_Greeting from indonesian volcano & nationalpark tour organiser_ 🌅

[@Takeitlightly6]

I dont know why our developers and real estate agents are soo full of crap when they have something to say about Dubai real estate…. It’s clearly none of this. Its oversupplied, overpriced over complicated asset…even as a leasee its just full of disappointments. Tiny microscopic flats the size of 80% of your salary every month for the rest of our time here. Not accessible to everyone, not allowed to sublet. Not allowed to directly lease if you dont have cash upfront or checks, people who make less than 4500 are not eligible for bank accounts…. The only person reaping profits in the property market is the developer and the property selling real estate agent. Rest all get shat on. Not to mention interior architecture is plain old rubbish! Its a birdbox not fit for humans.

[@Paris-coming]

Dubai is attracting all the international crooks lol

[@joejoey7272]

Saudi Arabia pulled the rig from underneath their feet . The future is Saudi

[@dannymonroehatzlacha6923]

Smart man n

[@arabianqueensheba4218]

Very smart man. I met him once in Jumeirah felt like I was in heaven for a moment.

[@josephbenadam]

Was he nice as person ?

[@HeatSeekingMouse]

@@josephbenadam Not at all.

[@zealwickes2111]

Sound like an ‘Arabian gold digger’

[@mydogsteppedona4431]

Dubai had more to offer then just it's towers, although I am stunned every time I visit, their beaches and many areas are just beautiful to relax in. I love how committed they are to building and learning something new everyday and fixing their mistakes, it's really a beautiful city to just walk around in too.

[@tanvirkhan4553]

1 night in Dubai 😎😎😎

[@GamerProZa]

Smart man

[@beinghuman9193]

He’s not Arab but Gujratis who migrated from Bhuj to part of UAE and Oman in 50s. I’m sure he’s not telling the truth

[@h.m.k5269]

REALLY?

[@TheUnique69able]

He’s Arab. Fuck off

[@OmairKamran]

Proof?

[@ahmedabdullahi7107]

Wdym? His tribe is probably Al-Lawatia who are of Khoja (Mainly origin Gujrat) which is settled in Oman and UAE but they are now Arab.