UAE ECONOMY

11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

UAE BACKGROUND
Federation of Seven Emirates
Situated in South West Asia on the Persian Gulf,
bordering Oman & Saudi Arabia
Federal Capital Abu Dhabi
Worlds 7th largest oil reserves
One of the most developed economies in the Middle
East
GDP of $46,000 according to IMF
14th largest in purchasing power per capita
High-Income High-Growth Economy
Founding member of Gulf Co-operation Council
(GCC)
Member of Arab League, United Nations,
Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the
WTO

11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

UAE AS A HIGH-GROWTH MARKET

The UAE is the largest market in the Middle East for

the UK
It is the UKs 13th largest export market
In recent years, the UAE has seen unprecedented
growth in all areas of the economy, particularly
construction
Despite the recent financial issues regarding Dubai, the
UAE represents significant opportunities for UK
businesses.

11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

PESTLE ANALYSIS

~ POLITICAL ~ ECONOMIC ~ SOCIAL ~ TECHNOLOGICAL ~ LEGAL ~

ENVIRONMENT

Economic

Currency: Emirate dirham (Dh or AED)

Exchange Rate: Dh3.67 per US dollar

Oil exports: 2.2 million barrels of crude oil/day,3rd largest

exporter

GDP per capita: Dh162,000 (2007)

Increase in spending for infrastructure and job creation.

Fiscal year: 1 January to 31 December.

Free zone : strongest pillars of the countrys diversification

strategy

KEY SECTORS: MASS TRANSPORT

Dubai Metro
Dubai and Abu Dhabi Airports
UAE Ports

11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

KEY SECTORS: CONSTRUCTION

YAS Island
Saadiyat Island
Raha Development
Masdar Project

11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

KEY SECTORS: ENERGY & POWER

Abu Dhabi plans to increase crude
oil productivity to 3.7m barrels per
day by 2015
This will require investment of
around $20b into the sector
Opportunities in equipment supply,
desalination, gas, energy related
financial products and alternative
energy
Four nuclear reactors, worth US$40
billion, to be operational by 2020
11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

UAE SECURITY SECTOR OVERVIEW

Popular unrest and political violence are almost unheard of
Never experienced a major terrorist attack
Intelligence and security forces of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are
effective
Comparatively low levels of both petty and violent crime
Federal structure can lead to problems of consistency, information
sharing and co-operation among individual emirates
Land borders with both Saudi Arabia and Oman are porous and
criss-crossed by smuggling routes
Coastline is also exploited by smugglers
The actual crime rate is difficult to measure due to the
governments policy of not releasing crime statistics
The federation also allows the US military extensive access to its
facilities
Large-scale attacks are possible, but small opportunistic attacks
on individuals/foreign interests pose the most immediate risk

11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

UAE EXTERNAL RISKS

UAE's territorial security is assured through defence
agreements with the US and the UK
The federation has a very strong relationship with the
US, with warships frequently docking at Jebel Ali port
Iran could be tempted to target in the event of a US
and/or Israeli strike against its nuclear facilities
Disputes over ownership of the southern Gulf Islands of
Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb continue to
cause tensions with Iran
However, Dubai has an extremely strong trading
relationship with Iran, as well as a large Iranian ex-pat
community
In common with other Gulf States, accusations
sporadically arise that this provides cover for a number of
sleeper cells awaiting activation by the Iranian authorities
The UAEs relations with the rest of its neighbours
remain largely positive
11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

UAE FACTORS IMPACTING ON SECURITY

Demographics
Development and training
Economic development
Infrastructure development
Crime
Natural resources and threats to supply
Political threats
Military/Security Cooperation

11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

10

UAE CRIME, POLICING & SECURITY

Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Police
Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA)
National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority
(NCEMA)
Civil Defence
Dubai
Dubai Police
Civil Defence
Northern Emirates
Individual Police Forces
Ministry of Interior
Individual Civil Defence Forces
11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

11

SECURITY SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES

Interoperability solutions
Crisis/Disaster Management
Command and Control
Business Continuity and Contingency Planning
Dubai Plans to bid for 2020 Olympics
Large number of business and sporting events
Plans for developing a rail network in Abu Dhabi
Safety and security for nuclear plants and other
large infrastructure projects being developed in the
UAE
Airports and Ports related security
Increased demand for security related products
Upgrading border control and immigration
technology
Large companies have regional HQs in the UAE
resulting in increased demand for sophisticated
access control systems

11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

12

DOING BUSINESS

Dubai has a liberal, business orientated economy built on a strong history

of trade. It has worked to encourage businesses to set up in the emirate by
creating free zones, building up its infrastructure, and international transport
links for example there are over 140 flights a week to the UK
Dubais free zones have proved to be very successful, offering 100%
foreign ownership and no taxes. The free zone at Jebel Ali which started in
the 1970s has over 6000 companies, many others have followed
Contact building and networking are very important. It takes time to build
relationships with those you want to do business with, and many companies
decide that having a permanent presence here is the only way to drive
success

11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

13

UKTI SERVICES IN THE REGION

OMIS
Information and Briefing
Trade Missions
Exhibitions

11/11/2010

International Export Colloquium

14

15

THANK YOU