United Arab Emirates

Sort: Middle-East Time : (2008-1-31 9:53:27)

The United Arab Emirates' economy has been surging since 2003 : GDP growth rate was 11.9% in 2003, 7.4% in 2004 and 7.3% in 2005. It may be 6.8% in 2006.
This growth is widely due to oil prices and OPEC quotas increase. The United Arab Emirates are located in the South of the Persian Gulf. They are composed of seven Emirates including Dubai and Abu-Dhabi which both account for 80% of total GDP.

The Emirates have exceptional natural resources available. They respectively hold the fifth and the third largest world's gas and oil reserves. Oil represents 33% of the GDP and oil exports ensure 70% of foreign exchange inflows and State resources. The government is conducting a policy of economic diversification, especially concerning tourism, and is also developing large free zones in order to attract foreign investors. For the last five years, manufacturing activity has been in full swing, especially concerning metal processing, non-metallic mineral products, furniture, food processing and jewelry sectors.
The other most dynamic sectors are industry, construction, tourism and transports.

UAE's market is very open and competitive. Since 1st January 2003, the country has been applying GCC's customs union tariffs (Gulf Cooperation Council, gathering Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Kuweit, Oman and Qatar). Usually, customs duties for goods entry into UAE amount to 4%. The top import partners of UAE are Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom. The products mainly exported are vehicles, pharmaceutical and chemical products.
Less than 20% of UAE's population is native.

Population

Main Cities	Population
Abu Dhabi	928,000
Dubai	674,000
Sharjah	400,000
Short al Khaimah	144,000
Ajman	118,000
Fujeirah	76,000

Total population (millions):	4.3
Source: World Bank 2004

Urban population:	85%
Source: World Bank 2004

Average annual population growth:	..
Source: World Bank 2004

Surface area (km²) :

83,600

Population origin

Origin of the population	% Of the population
Arab	87
Persian	1.6
Baloutche	0.5
African	0.5
British	0.3
Other	10.1

Languages

Official language: Arabic
Business language: English, well-spoken by most people living in cities, and notably by businessmen.

Free translation tools in United Arab Emirates :
Arjeeb
Free English-Arabic-English translation of texts and web pages

Ectaco
Free Arabic-English-Arabic dictionary

Religion

Religious practises : Official Religion: Islam

Religious practices :
Sunni Muslims : 78%
Shiite Muslims : 18%
Christians : 3.5%
Others : 0.5%

Political system

The United Arab Emirates are a federation of 7 Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Duba? Sharjah, Short al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujeirah, Umm al Qaiwan. Each Emirate is ruled by an Emir, and is quite autonomous. The main federal organ is the Supreme Council of Emirs. This council appoints the President, who holds in practical terms, the essential prerogatives of the Executive. He appoints the government which is responsible before him. The Dubai's Emir is vice-president and he represents two Emirates within the federation. The legislative power is held by the Federal council, which counts 40 members who are appointed by the 7 Emirs. Bills are submitted to the Federal Council, which only has a advisory role.