The United Arab Emirates is spending millions of dollars a year to convince the American public - and Congress - that it's safe to do business with.
Eight years after a skittish Congress derailed plans for Dubai Ports World to take over operation of six US seaports, the federation of seven emirates is still paying PR and lobbying firms upwards of $5 million a year to boost its image – far more than any other Middle Eastern nation. The federation, home to two of the Sept. 11, 2001 hijackers, views the effort as a crucial investment to help achieve its transformation into a global business hub.
