When Singaporeans learn that Mr Ahmad Fuad and his family live in Dubai, some wonder why they have chosen to reside in what they perceive to be a war zone.

Others assume that life is as restrictive as that in Saudi Arabia, where women are not allowed to drive, for example.

Mr Ahmad, 54, a Singaporean who works for a Dubai petroleum firm, says that the city's proximity to some troubled spots in the Middle East has led some to think that it is also a war zone, or is affected by the turmoil in some way.

'But Dubai is not affected at all,' he says.

In fact, Dubai - one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates where Islam is the official state religion - is a centre of free trade, religious tolerance and pro-Western attitudes.

More than five times the size of Singapore at 3,885 sq km, it is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.

It has diversified from being an oil-based economy to become a major tourism player, with an explosion of theme parks and opulent skyscrapers, including the 333m-tall Burj Al Arab hotel and the 636m-tall Burj Dubai tower housing offices, hotels, restaurants and residences.

And shopping malls? Plenty, including the 2.4 million sq ft Mall of the Emirates that is more than twice the size of Singapore's VivoCity.

With these new developments, Dubai plans to welcome 15 million tourists annually by 2015.

Interestingly, foreigners make up 80 per cent of its population of more than 1.5 million. Its sizeable expatriate community hails from the United States, Europe, Australia, India, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Singaporeans make up a small but growing contingent with more than 1,000 people, estimates International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore), a government agency that promotes the overseas growth of Singapore-based firms and international trade.

Members of online network Sc@uts, formed by Singaporeans living in Dubai, taking a dip in a hot spring during a day trip to the desert oasis city Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.

Mr Lim Ban Hoe, its regional director (Middle East and Africa) who is based in Dubai, tells LifeStyle: 'Dubai's ability to transform itself into a finance, tourism, exhibition, and air and sea hub in such a short time has been instrumental in attracting strong foreign interest.'

Those that seek IE Singapore's assistance include the real estate, transport and logistics, retail, food and beverage, and water and environment sectors.

Last year, the agency facilitated successful projects for more than 10 Singapore firms in Dubai.

Mr Lim notes that the word 'no' is seldom heard in the Arab business culture.

'They prefer to engage in small talk and get to know the other party first. Once a friendship is developed, the contracts are expected to be honoured based on trust,' he says.

Singapore firms with projects in Dubai include DP Architects, the main architect for the 12.1 million sq ft Dubai Mall, and cinema operator Cathay Organisation Singapore. The latter will manage the 22- and six-hall multiplexes called Reel Cinemas in Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina respectively, with Emaar Malls Group Dubai.

Later this year, Cathay expects to hire 150 employees, of whom 30 per cent will be Singaporeans.

While many foreigners live in Dubai for only a few years, Mr Ahmad and his wife, Madam Zah Ahmad, 49, have been residents there for the last 23 years.

Dispelling the notion that women are treated as second-class citizens, Madam Zah says women actually enjoy preferential treatment in Dubai.

'There is a separate queue for women in most places. If you are standing in a common queue, women usually get served first,' she says. 'And we are allowed to drive.'

Singaporeans in Dubai also lead an active social life. The one-year-old online network, Singaporean Community @ UAE Times, or Sc@uts, organises road trips and picnics regularly, and even have lo hei during Chinese New Year.

One of Sc@uts' three Singaporean founders, Mr Anthony Chern, 40, says it has on its mailing list 560 Singaporeans stationed in a few emirates.

The father of two boys, aged three and eight, moved from Dubai to Abu Dhabi recently to work as an environmental, health and safety manager for real-estate company Capitala.

Mr Chern, who went to Dubai to work four years ago, tells LifeStyle: 'It took me a while to get used to the slower pace. But one does enjoy a better quality of life and the pay package is more attractive than that in Singapore.

'The downside, though, is the unbearable heat during summer,' he adds. 'And, of course, I miss my family and hawker food back home.'

This article was first published in Life!, The Straits Times on May 18, 2008.