UAE

Brief Fact File

Capital	Abu Dhabi
Currency	Emirati Dirham (AED)
Language(s)	Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
Local time	GMT + 04:00
Telephone code	971
Major cities	Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah

Economy
The UAE enjoys an open economy. The wealth of the country is based on oil and gas output which is about 30% of GDP. Oil was discovered here in the 1950s. It has generated about 9% of the world's total wealth from oil reserves. In last 20 years, the government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion. It is developing as a centre for tourism, trade and commerce. In 2004, the country signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with Washington and later in the same year it agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. UAE is the 3rd most important re-export centre after Hong kong and Singapore.

Major Exports:

• Crude Oil
  
• Petroleum products
  
• Natural Gas
  
• Dried Fish

Major Imports:

• Machinery and electrical equipment
  
• Chemicals and related materials
  
• Food
  
• Pearls, precious stones and precious metals
  
• Vehicles and other transport equipment
  
• Textiles and textile articles

Business Practices

Business Dress

• Visitors are expected to abide by local standards of modesty however, do not adopt native clothing. Traditional clothes on foreigners can be offensive.
  
• Despite the heat, most of the body should always remain covered.
  
• A jacket and tie are usually required for men at business meetings. Men should wear long pants and a shirt. Long-sleeved and buttoned up to the collar are prefered. Men should avoid wearing visible jewelry, particularly around the neck.
  
• Women should wear modest clothing in public. High necklines sleeves at least to the elbows are expected. Hemlines, if not ankle-length should at least be well below the knee. It is a good idea to keep a scarf handy, especially if entering a Mosque.

Communication Guidelines

• Do not discuss the subject of women, not even to inquire the health of wife or daughter. The topic of Israel should also be avoided. Sports is a perfect topic for conversation.
  
• Names are often confusing. It's best to get the names in English. Learn both their full names and how they are to be addressed in person before you meet.
  
• Communication is a bit slow, do not feel obligated to speak during periods of silence. "Yes" usually means "possibly".
  
• Meetings are commonly interrupted by phone calls and visits from friends and family.
  
• One who asks the most questions in a meeting is likely to be the least important. The decision maker is a silent observer.
  
• A customary greeting is salaam alaykum. Shaking hands and saying kaif halak follows.

Business Hour
7.30 am to 2.30 pm - Government offices
8.00 am to 1.00 pm - Banks (Saturday to Wednesday and until 12.00 noon on Thursdays)
9.30 am to 1.30 pm & 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm - Shops

Important Contacts

Associations / Ministries
Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industries
P.O Box: 1457 Dubai
Tel.: +(971)-(4)-2280000
Fax: +(971)-(4)-2211646
Website: http://www.dcci.gov.ae

Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Abu Dhabi P. O. Box 662
Chamber Tower , Corniche Road
Tel.: +(971)-(2)-6214000
Fax: +(971)-(2)-6215867
E-mail: services@adcci.gov.ae
Website: http://www.adcci-uae.com

Arab Trade Financing Program (ATFP)
Cornich Road, AMF Building, 7th floor
P.O. Box: 26799 Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Tel.: +(971)-(2)-6316999
Fax: +(971)-(2)-6316793/6299
Website: http://www.atfp.org.ae

Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Website: http://www.sharjah.gov.ae

Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Abu Dhabi Office:
PO Box 3014 Abu Dhabi
Tel.: +(971)-(2)-6214144
Fax: +(971)-(2)-6339210
E-mail: fcciauh@emirates.net.ae
Dubai Office:
PO Box 8886 Dubai
Tel.: +(971)-(4)-2212977
Fax: +(971)-(4)-2235498
Website: http://www.fcci.gov.ae

Indian Embassy / Counsulate

Embassy of India
Embassy Of India, Abu Dhabi
Plot No. 10, Sector W-59/02
Diplomatic Area, Off the Airport Road
P.O. Box 4090, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +(971)-(2)-4492700
Fax: +(971)-(2)-4444685/7768
E-mail: infowing@indembassyuae.org
Website: http://www.indembassyuae.org

Consulate General of India
P.O.Box 737, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel.: +(971)-(4)-3971222/333
Fax: +(971)-(4)-3970453
Telex: 46061 CGIND EM
E-mail: cgidubai@emirates.net.ae
Website: http://www.cgidubai.com
Working Hours:
8.00 am to 1.00 pm & 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm (Sunday to Thursday)
8.00 am to 11.00 pm - Submission of Documents
1.30 pm to 3.45 pm - Delivery of Documents
Note:- However, attestation documents are delivered in the morning only (within 15-20 minutes of submission of doucments).
Weekly Holidays:
Fridays and Saturdays

Visiting this Country

Business Visa Rules for UAE

• Business visas are issued only by UAE Embassy, and requires company letter and sponsor in UAE to send a fax or telex to UAE Embassy confirming the trip and accepting financial responsibility.
  
• A single-entry visa is valid within two months from the date of issuance for stay of up to 30 days.
  
• To receive a visa, submit 2 application forms, 2 passport size photographs and prepaid envelope for return of passport by certified/registered mail.

Public Holidays

Festival	Date	Detail
New Year's Day	January 1
Mount Arafat Day		Date Varies
Eid al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)		Celebrated 3 Days. Date Varies
Islamic New Year		Date Varies
The Prophet's Birthday		Date Varies
Sheikh Zayed's Accession		Date Varies
The Prophet's Accension		Date Varies
Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan)		Celebrated 2 Days. Date Varies
National Day	December 2

Travel Tips

• Though tipping is not expected but it is a common practice. Most of the restaurants include service charges in the bill. If it is not included, add 10% to the total. Taxi drivers are not tipped. Supermarket beggars, bag carriers and the windscreen washers at the petrol stations are usually given Dh2.
  
• There are no departure tax.
  
• A passenger can carry without incurring customs duty, 2000 cigarettes and 400 cigars and 2kg of tobacco; 2l of spirits of more than 22 per cent alcohol, and 2l of wine (non-Muslims over 18 years only); a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use (1l of eau-de-toilette and 150g of perfume for those visiting Dubai and/or Sharjah).
  
• Ask for permission before photographing people in general. Do avoid taking photographs of Muslim women and do not do the same at airports, docks, telecommunications equipment, government buildings, military and industrial installations.
  
• Electricity is 220 volts.
  
• Standard of food hygiene and water quality is very high.
  
• Water is generally produced by desalination, hence it is safe to drink. Drink plenty of water in the heat.