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Koch talks to Middle East Institute about UAE's citizenship initiative

April 14, 2021

The Middle East Institute

Natalie Koch

Natalie Koch


On Jan. 30, 2021, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, announced an amendment to the law that is designed to entice and retain foreigners by permitting a select group of expatriates to become Emirati citizens without giving up their original nationality. Natalie Koch, associate professor of geography and the environment, says the move should not be seen as a surprise but "as a logical extension of the Emirati government’s effort to encourage high-net-worth individuals to invest and reside in the UAE." Koch was quoted in the Middle East Institute's article, "Breaking the citizenship taboo in the UAE." 04/14/21


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