UAE seeks to explore more space frontiers 2 hours ago After Mars, the UAE moves ahead confidently to stamp its footprints on its celestial neighbour. If there is one unique quality that the UAE has, it is that it not only dreams new goals and ambitions, but also follows it up like nobody does. Few countries can do that. Take the Dubai Metro for instance. In 2004, five consortiums were selected to build the first stretch of the Metro. Work officially started in March 2006, and just three years later, on September 9, 2009, the first train was flagged off by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who was also the first passenger to board the driverless transport mode.