United Arab Emirates Table of Contents Doing Business in United Arab Emirates _______________________________ 7 Market Overview _______________________________________________________________ 7 Market Challenges _____________________________________________________________ 8 Market Opportunities ___________________________________________________________ 9 Market Entry Strategy ___________________________________________________________ 9 Political Environment ______________________________________________ 11 Political Environment __________________________________________________________ 11 Selling U.S. Products & Services ____________________________________ 12 Using an Agent to Sell U.S. Products and Services _________________________________ 12 Establishing an Office _________________________________________________________ 13 Franchising __________________________________________________________________ 16 Direct Marketing ______________________________________________________________ 18 Joint Ventures/Licensing _______________________________________________________ 18 Selling to the Government ______________________________________________________ 20 Distribution & Sales Channels ___________________________________________________ 21 Express Delivery ______________________________________________________________ 22 Selling Factors & Techniques ___________________________________________________ 22 E-Commerce _________________________________________________________________ 23 Trade Promotion & Advertising __________________________________________________ 24 Pricing ______________________________________________________________________ 25 Sales Service/Customer Support ________________________________________________ 26 Protecting Intellectual Property __________________________________________________ 27 Due Diligence ________________________________________________________________ 28 Local Professional Services ____________________________________________________ 28 Principle Business Associations ________________________________________________ 28 Limitations on Selling US Products and Services ___________________________________ 30 Web Resources _______________________________________________________________ 31 Leading Sectors for U.S. Exports & Investments _______________________ 31 Automotive___________________________________________________________________ 31 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 31 Leading Sub-Sectors __________________________________________________________ 33 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 36 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 36 Aviation _____________________________________________________________________ 36 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 36 Leading Sub-Sectors __________________________________________________________ 41 Opportunites ________________________________________________________________ 42 Web resources ______________________________________________________________ 42 Trade Shows ________________________________________________________________ 42 Construction _________________________________________________________________ 44 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 44 Leading Sub-Sectors __________________________________________________________ 45 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 47 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 47 UAE Government Websites ____________________________________________________ 48 Defense _____________________________________________________________________ 49 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 49 Leading Sub-Sectors __________________________________________________________ 50 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 50 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 51 Education ____________________________________________________________________ 53 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 53 Leading Sub-Sectors __________________________________________________________ 57 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 58 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 59 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 60 Leading Sub-Sectors __________________________________________________________ 61 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 62 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 63 Healthcare ___________________________________________________________________ 64 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 64 Leading Sub-Sectors __________________________________________________________ 67 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 67 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 68 Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Services_________________________________________ 69 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 69 Leading Sub-Sectors __________________________________________________________ 70 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 71 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 72 Pharmaceuticals ______________________________________________________________ 73 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 73 Leading Sub-Sectors __________________________________________________________ 74 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 74 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 74 Renewable Energy ____________________________________________________________ 75 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 75 Leading Sub-Sectors __________________________________________________________ 76 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 79 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 82 Safety & Security ______________________________________________________________ 83 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 83 Sub-Sector Best Prospects _____________________________________________________ 84 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 85 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 85 Water _______________________________________________________________________ 87 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 87 Sub-Sector Best Prospects _____________________________________________________ 88 Opportunities ________________________________________________________________ 89 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 89 Customs, Regulations & Standards __________________________________ 90 Trade Barriers ________________________________________________________________ 90 Import Tariff __________________________________________________________________ 91 Import Requirements & Documentation ___________________________________________ 91 Labeling/Marking Requirements _________________________________________________ 92 U.S. Export Controls ___________________________________________________________ 93 Temporary Entry ______________________________________________________________ 94 Prohibited & Restricted Imports _________________________________________________ 94 Customs Regulations __________________________________________________________ 96 Standards for Trade ___________________________________________________________ 97 Overview ___________________________________________________________________ 97 Standards __________________________________________________________________ 98 Testing, inspection and certification ______________________________________________ 99 Publication of technical regulations _______________________________________________ 99 Contact Information __________________________________________________________ 100 Trade Agreements ____________________________________________________________ 101 Licensing Requirements for Professional Services ________________________________ 102 Web Resources ______________________________________________________________ 102 Investment Climate Statement _____________________________________ 103 Executive Summary __________________________________________________________ 103 Openness to and Restrictions upon Foreign Investment ____________________________ 104 Policies Toward Direct Investment ______________________________________________ 104 Limit on Foreign Control and Right to Private Ownership and Establishment _____________ 105 Other Investment Policy Reviews _______________________________________________ 105 Business Facilitation _________________________________________________________ 105 Outward Investment _________________________________________________________ 105 Bilateral Investment Agreement and Taxation Treaties _____________________________ 105 Legal Regime ________________________________________________________________