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This week on Marketplace Middle East

MME looks at at Abu Dhabi's choice to diversify away from oil and focus on the high tech sector.
MME looks at at Abu Dhabi's choice to diversify away from oil and focus on the high tech sector.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • This week, Abu Dhabi's focus on the high tech sector
  • Plus, the return of the historic trade route that stretched from China to the Middle East
  • Ben Simpfendorfer, author of "The New Silk Road," on the re-emerging ties betweeen Asia and the Middle East

(CNN) -- In focus: From sand to silicon

Abu Dhabi's economy, like many of its Gulf neighbours, is quickly rising from the desert sands with a vast surplus of petrodollars filling its sails.

But unlike other regional players, it is opting for a different development path. This week MME takes a look at how the capital is diversifying away from oil and looking towards the high tech sector.

Facetime with Ben Simpfendorfer, author of "The New Silk Road"

As Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao headed to Egypt to bolster economic and political ties with the Middle East and Africa, MME sits down with with Ben Simpfendorfer, author of "The New Silk Road," to take a look at the re-emerging bonds between Asia and the Middle East .

The historic trade route that stretched from China to the Middle East is coming back to life and now includes some of the world's largest oil producers and wealthiest investors.

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Watch this show this week at the times (GMT) below:

Friday: 0715,1745

Saturday: 0445

Sunday: 0615,1745