Mr. Alabbar who has been nominated to The Advisory Council of the Government of Dubai has delivered the keynote address at the opening of the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) Forum, part of the ongoing DIFC Week in Dubai.

"Today, the real estate sector is witnessing a healthy correction. This is a consequence of global financial conditions - and is inherent to the very nature of the market. Real estate is cyclical. Monitoring supply and sales, the Advisory Council is managing this important sector of UAE economy, ensuring that new supply is properly managed and that current and future demand is adequately met," Mr. Al Abbar explained.

He added that the city continues to attract international investors and professionals who want to be part of the Dubai success story and sought-after global lifestyle.

As evidence of the Government's commitment to rapidly addressing the needs of real estate sector participants, he pointed to the recently announced merger of Amlak Finance and Tamweel under the umbrella of the UAE Real Estate Bank to create the largest real estate finance institution in the country.

Turning to the issue of Dubai's debt and refinancing, he clarified that the Government's sovereign debt obligations represent a fraction of the Government's assets. Dubai's borrowing is not used to cover state expenditures or fuel consumption, but is funding long-term, risk-free infrastructure development.

"Currently, the Dubai Government's sovereign debt obligations stand at US$10 billion (AED 37 billion). While our key sovereign assets are currently being evaluated, I can give you a rough estimation of their value, being over US$90 billion (AED 330 billion). And this does not include our airports, bridges and the Metro. At the same time the total debt obligations of affiliate companies stand at US$70 billion (AED 256 billion), compared with assets valued at US$260 billion (AED 950 billion). The total value of the assets of the government and affiliate companies in Dubai is well over AED 1.3 trillion.

"Our debt serves Government institutions, state-owned entities and corporates that have positive cash flows and that have extremely strong long-term value," Mr. Al Abbar said, adding that the Government can and will meet all its refinancing obligations going forward.

Explaining measures taken to address the liquidity challenges in the market, Mr. Alabbar said: "The timely and appropriate intervention that has already taken place at the Federal level to ensure the stability of the country's financial system, serves as a reminder that we stand by our guarantees, as one country. Going forward, the Central Bank will continue to act appropriately and in the best interests of our nation, whenever necessary.

"Today, as the world continues to face unprecedented challenges to the stability of the global financial system, the Council is acting as both a supervisory body and also an agent of active change, monitoring movement in its areas of focus and recommending the timely and appropriate initiation of policies to safeguard their continued stability.

"The formation of The Advisory Council is itself a bold initiative of the Government of Dubai, which signals to the regional and international community Dubai's firm intention to address vigorously the challenges that confront us and the world," he said.

"Here in Dubai," Mr. Al Abbar concluded, "we look to the future with great optimism and great determination."