One of Dubai’s most prominent sights
300 tons of gold are imported into the UAE each year, about 10–15% of the world production, with most of it ending up at the Gold Souk in Dubai or at the New Gold Building. Around 200 shops line both sides of the covered street. As soon as the sun sets, limousines with tinted windows stop at both ends of the pedestrian zone, and Arab women from neighbouring states and emirates, dressed in black, climb out and disappear immediately into the glittering jewellery shops. The nearby New Gold Building houses the offices of the gold wholesalers. At the Gold Centre the continuous flow of the shining metal is distributed out to the emirates. At Dubai’s Gold Souk, gold is sold according to weight – except for very light pieces of jewellery. One gram of 22-carat gold costs around 10 dollars, duty-free. Bargaining is often possible, especially when intending to buy several pieces at once. With larger purchases, customers receive small gold gifts as complimentary give-aways.
