Sales Offshore - Countries Available - Middle East - UAE

When you think about the United Arab Emirates (UAE), what comes to mind?

Tremendous wealth? Very high standard of living? Booming trade? Duty free shopping? Multi-cultural and multi-ethnic centre? Incredible tourism attraction? Among the world’s lowest crime rates? Awe-inspiring amenities?

The fact is, all of the above are absolutely correct – and then some – which explains in part why the UAE is such an overwhelmingly popular locale for tourists and Expats alike. But more on that later…

“A Constellation of Seven Stars”

Federated in 1971, the UAE is comprised of seven emirates, formerly independent sheikdoms. Apart from Abu Dhabi, they are:

Dubai: Like most of the UAE, Dubai is known as an outstanding tourist and Expat destination, and is especially popular during its annual Shopping Festival. In addition, its Dubai World Trade Centre is considered by many as the finest Exhibition and Conference centre in the Gulf Region.

Dubai has the largest population in the UAE and is the second biggest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi. Along with Abu Dhabi, Dubai is one of only two emirates to have veto power over crucial matters of national importance.

The liberal environment in Dubai, in addition to extraordinary investment and a fantastic climate, has formed the emirate into an extremely popular tourist destination, a favourite with Expats, and an essential place to do business.
Sharjah: The coastline of this emirate, located between Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, runs approximately 30 kilometres along the Arabian Gulf. Advanced highways connect it to the other emirates.

Sharjah is known as the UAE’s cultural capital. The emirate is also famous for its port facilities - Sharjah was the first port in the Middle East to acquire fully equipped container facilities at the Sharjah Container Terminal. Its imposing port at Khorfakkan provides key services for ships that do not need to enter the Gulf. Sharjah is also the capital of the UAE’s Cricket activities - famous throughout the cricketing world as a major venue for the sport.
Ajman: This emirate is positioned on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Ajman’s port is located along a natural creek, which goes through the town. Two of Ajman’s major regions are Masfout, an agricultural region, and Manama (not to be confused with Bahrain’s capital city).
Umm Al-Quwain: Located between Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah, the customary activities of this emirate have been date farming and fishing. Umm Al-Quwain is known for its beautiful sheltered lagoon, lengthy pristine beaches and numerous horse riding stables.

A kilometre from the town of Umm Al Quwain, Seneyah Island is a nature reserve for many species of birds, deer and Al Qaram trees.
Ras Al-Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah is the northern most emirate of the UAE. The traditional occupations of this emirate have largely been fishing, trading and agriculture. The town of Digdagga, close to the main city of Ras Al Khaimah, houses a sizeable – and very advanced - agricultural farm. Fruits, vegetables, milk, and other food sources are supplied from here to the other emirates.
Fujairah: Fujairah is unique among the emirates in that it is the only emirate located on the UAE’s east, along the Gulf of Oman. This emirate’s port is instrumental for container vessels, as well as for the world's biggest livestock shipping companies. Lovely beaches, abundant water sports and deep sea fishing draw visitors year-round.

Its virtually crime-free nature is among the reasons why the United Arab Emirates is one of the most appealing places to live. However, it is far from the only reason.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates and the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is said by some to be the richest city in the world, and is located in the north central UAE. Close to 2 million people lived there in 2006.

One of the most modern cities in the world, Abu Dhabi forms the centre of government and business life in the Emirates. Many embassies are based here, and the city serves as the headquarters for most of the emirate oil companies. This emirate’s oil wealth has been widely and successfully touted to attract non-oil industry interest as well.

Abu Dhabi features numerous and impressive gardens and parks, elegant high-rise buildings, high-tech communication services and transportation systems, a host of international five-star hotels, opulent shopping malls, and celebrated cultural centres.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the economic leaders of the UAE. Abu Dhabi contributes about 60% of the country’s GDP, and possesses 94% of the UAE's total oil and gas reserves. Those reserves form close to 10% of the world's total reserves, and are predicted to last about another 100 years.

Investors are increasingly buying property in Abu Dhabi, due in large part to the increasing economic growth and new investment opportunities available there.

Doing Business in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates is considered among the world’s near-perfect business centres. For generations, the country has maintained widespread and prosperous business links throughout the region. Traders from many global locations have benefited immensely from all this nation has had to offer.

Today, the UAE offers a state-of-the-art business environment that competes comfortably with long-established and highly-considered business locales. Among the many attractions for individuals and corporations, the country features terrific business incentives, an excellent telecommunications network, a superior transportation infrastructure, and a very high quality of living.

The UAE’s 12 ‘Free Trade Zones’, which provide attractive incentives for foreign investors, have enticed a very large number of businesses. As of last year, more than 5,000 businesses were located in the country’s free zones – an increase of close to 70% from just three years prior.

The UAE Free Zones are:

Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai
Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai
Dubai Internet City, Dubai
Dubai Media City, Dubai
Dubai Gold & Diamond Park, Dubai
DUCAMZ (Dubai Car & Automotive Zone), Al - Aweer
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, Sharjah
Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah
Ajman Free Zone, Ajman
Fujairah Free Zone, Fujairah
Ras-Al-Khaimah Free Zone, Ras-Al-Khaimah
Ahmed Bin Rashid Free Zone, Umm-Al-Quwain

Among the major advantages of establishing business in a UAE Free Zone:

100% foreign ownership of the enterprise
No personal income taxes
Stable currency
100% import and export tax exemptions
100% repatriation of capital and profits
No corporate taxes for 15 years; renewable for an additional 15 years
Assistance with labour recruitment, and with other services, such as sponsorship and housing.

These and many other factors account for the UAE’s global attraction as a business and holiday destination. Among them: an exceptionally high standard of living, an amazing combination of the traditional Eastern values and modern Western technologies; and the incredible medley of nationalities and cultures living and working together here.

The country forms a diverse and almost magical mixture of old tradition, modern amenities, and state-of-the-art technology. The UAE boasts a standard of living comparable to the planet’s most advanced nations. Its economy is one that is widely considered extremely strong – and getting even stronger. The country is a major player in the global oil and gas industries - Abu Dhabi alone provides close to ten percent of the world’s oil reserves.

Like most of the surrounding nations, the country has a desert climate, with hot, long summers, and temperate weather the rest of the year. The currency is the dirham. While its official religion is Islam, the UAE openly accepts many other faiths.

The UAE is ideally located geographically – greatly benefiting from its trade routes between Asia and Europe. Many companies have established manufacturing and export units here, thanks to the tax-free zones set up in each of the emirates.

So, what’s there to do in your spare time?

Perfect beaches, all types of water sports, desert parties and camping, sporting events, shopping, cinemas, golf and tennis courts, and horse racing abound. You want night life? You’ll have a tough time sampling just a portion of the UAE’s clubs, bars, gourmet restaurants, and discotheques. And, even if you have no call to stay in them, you’ll be left breathless merely by the sight of the nation’s phenomenal hotels.

Exceptional Expat Contingent

Now, back to the population…

As with most countries, overall population estimates vary. However, the average estimate places the entire UAE population figure at about three million. Of that number, about eighty percent are Expats – a large portion of which are high net worth individuals with the resources and inclination to invest significantly.

So, to recap: The UAE is a country of many, many positives, very few negatives (we cannot think of any at the moment!), and an enormous Expat community with the means to invest.

Need we say more?

For further information about United Arab Emirates we recommend that you visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Dhabi where you will find many useful links and informative articles to prepare you for your move.