The Expo as the modern Silk Road As I joined the sea of people descending the ramps of the Universal Exposition in Milan, I couldn’t help but wonder, in the age of the internet, is the Expo still relevant? Do tens of millions really need to visit trade fairs to learn about the planet? Beginning in the 1850s, the Expo was an [...]
A new Silk Road is emerging – and nations including China, Kazakhstan, UAE, Armenia and Georgia are clamouring to join On the ancient Silk Road, there were no geographic boundaries. Traders travelled freely along the vast network, exchanging goods and ideas and enabling the world’s first truly globalised market. It changed the nature of commerce, culture, city-states and consequently the world. Today, a new Silk Road is being mapped out. Though it is still in [...]
Building a lucrative art scene in the Middle East The world’s tallest building, most expensive hotel, fastest rollercoaster, and the largest mall – the list is long. The United Arab Emirates is a country of superlatives. It’s got the money, power and everything that comes with it. But perhaps nothing can better shape a nation’s identity and affirm its arrival on the world stage [...]
Oman seeks to revive its seafaring spirit September 18, 2015 Contrary to popular belief, the ancient Silk Road was never one single highway. Rather, it was a vast web of interconnected trade routes traversing land and sea. Taking pride of place as the maritime hub at the centre of this vibrant network were the picturesque coastlines of the Sultanate of Oman. Oman now is seeking [...]
Reverse innovation in India: Low cost does not mean low technology August 20, 2015 They say necessity breeds innovation. Perhaps there’s no other country where this holds more true than India. The needs are overwhelming here. And whether it’s refrigerators that run without electricity, heart surgeries for $800 dollars, or the cheapest cars in the world, enterprising Indians and companies are constantly finding disruptive (and innovative) ways to address [...]