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Golden visas. Zero taxes. Skyscrapers and supercars.
Dubai sells a dream — but is it the real deal?
In a no-fluff, tell-it-like-it-is episode of the brand-new Discovery Series, organised by World Trade Center and BCIC, a powerhouse panel laid it all bare: the good, the glam, and the gritty reality of building your business — or life — in the UAE.
And let’s just say… it’s not all brunches and Bugattis.
🌟 Meet the Insiders Who’ve Lived It
- Emmanuel Reinert, French tech CEO, 20 years in Dubai — knows it inside out.
- Zhanna Manzyk, Ukrainian recruiter turned mindfulness coach — building AI dreams with Indian soul.
- Sandeep Bolar, Sharjah-based exhibition boss — marketing mastermind.
Leading the charge? Karnvir Mundrey, Bangalore’s own branding maverick and the moderator who asked the hard questions no one else dares. Along with Vivek George, from WTC.
💥 “Dubai’s Not El Dorado!”
“If you think you’ll land and get rich overnight, dream on.”
– Emmanuel Reinert
The panel cut through the glossy influencer narratives.
Yes, Dubai is booming. Yes, it’s easier than ever to start a business or get hired. But it’s also cutthroat, hyper-competitive, and full of sharks.
“Stay low. Stay real. Don’t get dazzled. You’ll drown in the glitz.”
– Sandeep Bolar
🧘♀️ Karma in the City of Cash
Zhanna — who came with zero English and now runs a global recruitment firm — dropped truth bombs with her signature blend of zen and hustle:
“Help without expectations. Give more. That’s how Dubai works. Not Instagram followers.”
She’s building a spiritual movement inside Web3 — teaching founders pranayama, gratitude, and self-awareness in the heart of a crypto-crazy desert.
🔥 Getting Clients, Jobs & Cashflow in Dubai?
Don’t wing it. Here’s what the pros say:
✅ Tap into the massive Indian diaspora — use your roots.
✅ Build a LinkedIn brand BEFORE you land.
✅ Attend events like GITEX, Token2049, and Crypto Oasis.
✅ Know your market — Dubai doesn’t manufacture. It trades.
“It’s not who you know. It’s who knows what you DO.”
🚧 The Flip Side — What They DON’T Tell You
Let’s talk real:
- Scammers are everywhere.
- Flashy types = red flags.
- Reputation is everything.
- Traffic’s getting brutal.
- And no, it’s not exactly ‘green’ or ‘spiritual’ (Zhanna misses Bangalore’s trees!)
“Dubai’s small. One bad move, and the whole ecosystem knows.”
– Zhanna
🏫 Raising Kids? “It’s a Bubble — And That’s a Good Thing.”
Forget what you’ve heard — Dubai schools are elite, says Emmanuel.
His twins are growing up on The Palm, safe, secure, and happy.
“Why throw kids into chaos when they can grow in a safe cocoon? That’s what Dubai offers.”
🤝 India + UAE = The Future?
BCIC Vice President K. Ravi thinks so.
“Karnataka is India’s innovation engine. UAE is the launchpad. This is a perfect storm of opportunity.”
🧭 What’s Next?
This was just Episode 1. Next up in the Discovery Series: new countries, new playbooks.
Follow World Trade Centre online.
And if Dubai’s in your plans? Watch this again, take notes, and come prepared.
“Dubai gives you everything — but only if you give it your best.”
The Discovery Series is a monthly series run by the World Trade Center Bangalore, and moderated by Karnvir Mundrey. Get in touch with Vivek George at vivek@wtcbengaluru.com to get updates to future events!
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