I'd like to point out that the fact that the UAE basically has no more oil is PRECISELY the reason why they have invested so much in business and tourist facilities. The Sheikh knows that he doesn't have another natural resource remotely on par with oil to generate revenue, so he's created real estate, business opportunities and luxurious and attractive tourist destinations. I agree very much with Deen from London on this matter. Particularly with regards to the work force, and I think that seeing as it is only mentioned very briefly in the article itself, with no discussion of the worker's conditions that to automatically assume that the project is "sucking the sweat and blood of poor people" is ludicrous. If you're going to make ridiculous statements at least have something to back it up. Take this in perspective - they're being denied the right to be in a Trade Union, they are NOT slaves being beaten and whipped.

James Holloway, Edinburgh, UK

When the world switches to ethanol, that is when they can afford to supply this much ethanol, the ME will no doubt still sell oil becaus it will still be a cheaper and there will still be buyers in the world. so i see oil as a cheaper alternative to ethanol. The problem is not so much oil but the innefficent and sometimes gigantic internal combustion engine. Ethanol is more of an economic move by the brazilian sugar industries to divesify because ethanol is more expensive than selling sugar. guess where brazillian ethanol and sugar comes from? The competition is and will be between these two fuels.

sam, nyc, usa

Is it me or do i always see negative comments coming from people when positives are occuring in middle eastern (oh wait! muslim) countries. To my dear Raj, No doubt you must be British of Indian decent, as I am British of Bengali decent and im certain you would agree that SOME work is better than NO work. You state, that it is built with the sweat and blood of poor people, and I assume you mean indian constructors, but let me ask you this, do u think those poor south asian constructors would even get a job in european countries in their current numbers?? NO! At least it is better than having footballs stitched by poor pre-teen kids and sold in the world market by Indian business men! and to my friend Gaurav, you should note that the state of Dubai has been without oil for some years now and still it is building, they are allready investing in education projects and universities across the ME, so my answer to your question would be, the growth will continue as is doing now without OIL

Deen, London, UK

Thought it would be useful to note that the United Arab Emirates have been bone dry of oil for quite some time now. The boom that is occurring in Dubai is not being funded strictly by oil revenues, but more so through the resulting real estate development which has been spurred by a very impressive self-marketing campaign conducted by its leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. I for one am very happy to see a thriving city state in the Middle East. It should serve as a beacon of hope for its regional neighbors. However, that is not to say I agree with whatever inhumane labor practices which are occurring there.

Shane Lewis, Mexico City, Mexico

My dear friends in Dubai and elsewhere, I am wondering what will happen when ethanol is used instead of oil. I am not visualizing the likely scenario when the oil runs out. Research on ethanol is very active. Look at BP. Brazil is already a leading user of ethanol in the entire world and U.S. is expected to follow suit. A majority of Brazil’s automobiles run on ethanol. Not only automobiles, but entrepreneurs in Brazil are lighting their factories and meeting their power needs though ethanol. I would like to know what will happen when the petro-dollars stop flowing. Does Dubai produce any engineers, doctors, architects, designers, managers, world-class leaders of its own?

How will the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum fulfill his vision once technology related to ethanol is proven, since there is no scope left for cutting down on the wages of the 4,000 Burj Indian immigrants construction workers?

Gaurav Gupta, New Delhi, India

What happens when the oil runs out or ethanol technology makes oil redundant?

Gaurav Gupta, New Delhi, India

it is not world tallest tower it is world's corrupted tower. How can anyone be proud of such a buildinng when it is built by sucking the sweat and blood of poor people. What really annoys me is that people like Giorgio Armani are involved in such cruel project and they never dare to challenge the authority .
Shame on all of you and shame to the people of dubai...

Raj, London, United kingdom

veeeeeeeeeeeeeery taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall

basem, Toronto, Canada

But you can see quite clearly - it is leaning to one side. On a foggy day, it looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa transplanted to the Middle East

Boz Ford-Tippex, Dubai, UAE