Since the last blog, I have travelled to Pnomh Penh, Cambodia where I noticed a considerable improvement in living conditions since I was last there some ten years ago.  But poverty is still high and there are hopes that an oil bonanza will resolve many problems.  I addressed the Cambodia Parliament and pointed out that oil is often more of a curse than a blessing.  Not welcome words when oil may start to flow Cambodia's way in a few years.  Happily they listen to people like me who suggest that massive investment in human skills could resolve the problems of a declining non-oil sector as the oil sector grows.



I write this in a luxury hotel in Dubai, yards from perhaps the biggest construction site in the world - see above photo taken minutes ago.  Dubai has no oil but is benefitting from investment from surrounding nations who have more money from oil than they know what to do with.  I see many empty appartments in the recently completed buildings, yet rents are high and there is a shortage of rental accomodation.  Has can this be?  Possibly speculation from many rich Arabs who buy from plans and await to sell as prices rise.  But is this not another bubble?  I wonder.



I am addressing a jewellery convention (www.cibjo.com) on corporate social responsbility - cynics may laugh but I believe there is serious concern to improve the supply chain in the industry.  Of course, not doing so would seriously harm reputation...so a double bonus, improved reputation and improved conditions around the world.



I shall also be chairing a session at another event organsed by EEG (see http://www.eeg-uae.org/) on assessing which companies in the Gulf merit CSR awards - prizes will be for small. medium and large companies.  The lasy behind the effort - Habiba Al Marashi - is brave indeed to pursue such activities in highly male dominated societies.  Jawahir and I shall stay at her home later this week..rare for foreigners to be invited into the home of an indigenous Dubai person!



And Zimbabwe.....see next blog entry