There is something blindingly obvious that the article, Up to 20% of UAE's food and beverage companies expected to close by end of 2017 (February 28), completely ignored: in many food outlets – both ordinary and upmarket – the quality of both food and service is poor.
That’s the sole reason why many of them are facing closure. Only the fittest will survive.
Hasan Veletanlic, Abu Dhabi
I’d say the news is better than expected. The majority of food and beverage outlets do not offer value for money. They are either extremely expensive or very bad quality. Rents are not helping as well.
Nicola Siotto, Dubai
No better place to live than the UAE
I am a British citizen living in Abu Dhabi with my wife. We are well travelled and can honestly say that we have never been in a more tolerant, respectful and welcoming country (Once again, the UAE is an example to the world, February 16).
Tolerance is the foundation stone of the Emirates and the people here are proud of this. Even though we only have residence visas in our passports, we consider ourselves, proudly, adopted Emiratis.
Where else could a couple of different heritages and religions live happily, feel accepted and practise their respective faiths? Nowhere. Truly an example to the world. We are proud to be part of this great community.
Fayaz Malik, Abu Dhabi
Extraordinary power of mind
In reference to the story Mastery of mind and stillness (February 26), human beings have the ability to delve deep into the mind and do extraordinary things you never thought possible. And that, one of these amazing abilities, is the ability to “remote view”, or witness with your mind’s eye: places, events, objects and people, at any location, no matter the distance, no matter the time, be it past, present or future.
Remote viewing is an amazingly powerful tool that can be learnt by anyone.
Name withheld by request
A short-term perspective
I refer to the article UAE backs Opec-driven move to freeze oil production to stabilise market (February 19). I agree that the strategy of freezing production will help stabilise the market, but only in the short term with an incremental increase in price to $34 or $35pb. Don't expect any substantial increase in the price over the next few months.
At current production rates the market is oversupplied by 1.5 to 2 million bpd. That’s a glut and economics 101 will tell you that prices are depressed in such a scenario.
China’s growth has been downgraded to 6.9 per cent, coupled with a devalued currency. So we have a weak position on the demand side.
Additionally, we have a build-up of large inventories and this has to filter through the system if prices are to rebound.
Saudi Arabia and Russia continue to produce at record highs, while the world’s largest economy is lagging. The market simply isn’t there to absorb the excess supply.
Randall Mohammed, Dubai
India must put house in order
The Indian stock market was in the red before the budget. This clearly was an indication of the popular sentiment (India’s budget must deliver, February 29). The thing is, market expectations have been built up so much that even the slightest hint of slow progress may cause panic among investors.
The long-term future may be bright for both India and its stock markets, but it is going to take something special to sustain the ardour.
But I feel that before thinking about development, the government should tackle corruption, curb bureaucratic red tape and promote social and religious harmony. Without these, any development will be impossible.
Rohit Sharma, Dubai
