Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (1912 – October 7, 1990) was the Vice-President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai. He ruled for 32 years, until his death. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum can be called the first visionary of modern U.A.E. It was during his rule that Dubai grew from a small trading town into a major cosmopolitan city. Following discovery of oil in the region in 1960s, one of his first tasks was the construction of a modern sea port and airports in Dubai. The U.A.E. witnessed a significant amount of construction activity in the 1970s, most of which was in Dubai. A few of the more notable architectural achievements in this period are:

1. Jebel Ali Port
2. Dubai Drydocks
3. Al Shindagha Tunnel
4. Dubai World Trade Center
5. Port Rashid

These projects paved the way for later development of the city which continues until today. One of the more successful rulers in the Middle East, Sheikh Rashid was responsible for the transformation of Dubai into a modern port city and commercial hub .

His famous line, “My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I drive a Mercedes, my son drives a Land Rover, his son will drive a Land Rover, but his son will ride a camel.”

Reflects his concern that Dubai’s oil will run out in a decade or two. Thus he worked to build up an economy in Dubai that could survive the end of Dubai’s oil boom.