



Indian expats worried as West Asian conflict shatters Gulf’s safe haven image
In 2016, Pranav Doshi, then an executive with the Canadian consulate, decided to move 2,000 kilometres away from their home in Mumbai. Doshi’s wife was given an option to choose between Unilever Plc’s London and Dubai offices, and she picked the largest city in the United Arab Emirates. “We selected Dubai because we had a young child, and wanted family support; that was not possible in London,” said Doshi, 47.
“Our parents could come and go, childcare was better in Dubai, and there was never any identity crisis.”As Doshi spoke over the phone on Monday, everything appeared calm. But just the day before, five Iranian drones had dropped near his home. Doshi’s wife is now a marketing consultant, and he works as a director for Advanced Business Event, which organises global aerospace and defence conferences and summits.
“If I were to be given a choice between London and Dubai today, I would take some time to think it over,” Doshi said. “Brand Dubai has definitely taken a hit. This was a safe haven where all wanted to invest, but now that sentiment, along with property prices, will be impacted.”A destination attracting top CEOs and migrant workers, offering the chance to earn a higher income and a better lifestyle, the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) image as a provider of a safe and stable business environment has come under attack.
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