National Bonds

I meant to blog about this story when it came out a couple of days ago. Modelled on the UKs Premium Bonds, investors can hope their 10 dirham stake wins them one million dirhams. And if it doesn't, you still have your stake in the next monthly draw. And investors will get a bonus each year- a slice of 10% of the scheme's profits. And it's Shariah-compliant (how they work that out is beyond me).

Just as the UK scheme has a friendly computer called ERNIE (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment) to choose the winning numbers, the UAE one will have AHMED (Automatic Hopeful Millionaire-Enabling Device) doing the honours.

Gonna get me some...