SimplyAbuDhabi XXXVII

MM: I think people do not realise how attractive it is. And when you think of people in the financial sector, they can pack their briefcase, their computer and move – and the fact you’ve been able to retain them, not only at the firm but in the country and grow. And I think one of the things that’s always surprised me, the weather here today in February is no different than the weather in Los Angeles, California. And the fact that you probably have eight months of good weather here… in so many other places in the world wish they had eight months of good weather. But it is the culture and one of the things in closing, I would say Khaldoon, is that we look at turnover and as we have our global capital markets group at the Institute, that has more than 300 members and consists of sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, pension, endowments, foundations, family offices, and many of these, particularly the non-profits, have had significant turnover of people and haven’t been able to keep their teams in place. And I think it’s the uniqueness, not only the leadership of the country, but your leadership ethic at the firm, but also the leadership of people in the service sector and the medical and education sector, that has made this such an interesting place to live. And I want to close by thanking you and the leadership of the country, not only in building your country, but as a leader with the responsibility of nations, that you’ve taken the place. And I know when we had many of the financial difficulties in ‘08 and ‘09, the leader’s secretary of the treasury came to Abu Dhabi and spoke about support of the financial institutions. And you served a constructive role when it takes issues of refugees or other problems in the world. And so, it’s hard to believe that a country, not even 40 years old, has grown, but also the responsibility you have to the League of Nations, and on behalf of the Milken Institute and others around the world, we want to thank you. Thank you very much. The key to everything I’ve described is people, it’s absolutely people.” “