Proxy data time, courtesy of earnings season: Salik saw a 12% rise in toll gate crossings, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority – DEWA a 6ish% rise in electricity and water demand and 5% rise in customer accounts. That all attests to ‘significant growth’ in the Dubai population, says Sameer Lakhani of Global Capital Partners FZ LLC – which “if anything” is higher than official projections of 5-8%.