UNITED ARAB EMIRATES MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE WHY Unlimited Opportunities 2012 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE WHY Unlimited Opportunities Investing in the future Borouge has an annual manufacturing capacity of 2 million tonnes of polyolefins in Abu Dhabi, three logistics hubs in Asia, compounding facilities in China, and sales offices throughout the 2012 Middle East and Asia Pacific. Supported by the unique Borstar® technology and a culture of innovation, Borouge continues to invest in the future and deliver value added solutions to its customers. Borouge, a joint venture between ADNOC and Borealis, is making a difference to everyday life. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE @ 2012 All Rights Reserved by: Ministry of Foreign Trade P.O. Box 110555 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: +971 2 495 6000 Fax: +971 2 449 9164 E mail: [email protected] Website: www.moft.gov.ae “ It is because of the rapid and dynamic changes in the global economic scene that our economy today needs quality investments that bring modern technology and high levels of technical and managerial expertise that will enable our economy and products to “ compete globaly. Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates “ Thanks God, we turned the dream into reality and great achievements that put the UAE on the spotlight and attracted the largest multinational companies that seek profitability, “ security and future growth Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of The United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai I welcome you to the UAE, a country with an ever-renewed spirit and an ever-widening base of opportunities that is today celebrating 40 years of a continuous and united race towards excellence. “Being amongst the best nations in the world” is a promise that was made by our leaders not only to the citizens of the UAE, but to the investors, businessmen, employees and families who chose to work and live in it. Around fulfilling this promise revolve our visions, aspirations, initiatives and mandates. After 40 years of hard and diligent work, I stand proud of our achievements. I am also proud and confident of the unique and well-structured value proposition that we today present to the international business community. Our unrivaled infrastructure, accommodating internationally-benchmarked laws and regulations, cutting-edge technological environment and, above all, a determination to aim higher continue to make us the location of choice for the most renowned multinational companies, international investors and well- qualified professionals. No longer is the UAE only associated with the high production of oil and natural gas or with the world’s tallest buildings or the world’s only seven star hotels. Those vital sectors are only some of the unlimited opportunities that can be exploited in choosing the UAE. Today, the UAE is the de facto financial centre between Singapore and London and the host of the world’s largest man-made port and some of the world’s busiest airports. It also hosts the world’s first free zone dedicated to biotechnology and research and has the world’s only capital connected with a fiber network, just to name a few of what our drive for innovation has fruited. In this challenging and fiercely competitive global economic environment, having a partner of trust and a base from which operations can be conducted securely becomes more crucial than ever. That’s what the UAE can offer you all. No matter what field your business operates in, the UAE is committed to provide a tailor-made solution and business environment that will enable it to focus on its core business and overcome its difficulties. In these 40 years, we built, from the ground up, cities, seaports, skyscrapers, airports and international companies, attracted most of the top Fortune 500 companies to setup in the UAE, became among the top 25 nations globally in competitiveness and among the leading nations in the quality of lifestyle. It is to share this ambition and to take part in this success story that I invite you all. In this book, titled “Why UAE?”, you can explore some of the reasons why this nation lying on the shores of the Arabian Gulf is the location of choice to start a successful business. Through a comprehensive overview of our resilient economy, diverse and ever growing base of opportunities, friendly and business- oriented legal environment and smooth procedures to register a business, you can construct a full picture of the country’s promise and potential. Not to forget the openness embedded in our culture and the amazing lifestyle that you and your family can enjoy. That’s what I can label as “The Emirati dream”. I thank you all for taking the time and showing the interest to explore the country. Regards Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi Minister of Foreign Trade Contents Chapter 5 The United Arab Emirates Seven Pearls and Beyond 233 Abu Dhabi - Free Zones 235 Dubai - Free Zones 245 Sharjah - Free Zones 289 Chapter 1 The United Arab Emirates The Fundamentals 16 The UAE: Histories of Openness and Achievements 18 Ajman - Free Zones 295 The UAE: Strategic Location and Diversified Terrains 22 Umm Al Quwain - Free Zones 299 The UAE: A Unique Demographic Structure 26 Ras Al Khaimah - Free Zones 303 The UAE: A Unique Model of Integration 30 Fujairah - Free Zones 309 Abu Dhabi 34 Dubai 36 Chapter 6 The United Arab Emirates Accommodating Legal Environment 313 Sharjah 38 [The Constitution, Legislative Authorities, Judicial Authorities, Ajman 40 Characteristics of the Legal System, Civil Litigation Process, Arbitration] Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK) 42 Legal environment in Free zones Vs. Inland 317 Umm Al Quwain 44 Legal Topics Relevant to doing Business in the UAE 318 Fujairah 46 Commercial Transaction 318 Commercial Companies 322 Chapter 2 Why UAE? The Layers of Uniqueness 49 Employment 328 A Gateway to Growth 52 Intellectual Property 332 An Inspiring Society and Spirit 58 Exchange of Securities & Commodities 334 A “Plug and Play” Solution 64 Insurance 340 A Climate of Trust 68 Telecom 342 A True Knowledge Economy 72 Electronic Transactions & Commerce 344 A Recognized Global Brand 78 Chapter 7 Setting Up a Business in the UAE Seizing The Opportunities 349 Understanding the UAE Market 352 The United Arab Emirates A Sound and Resilient Economy 85 Chapter 3 Establishing a Business in the UAE 353 The UAE: A Strong Economic Heritage 86 Business Licensing Authorities in the UAE 354 The UAE Economy: A Unique Orchestration 87 Selecting a Trade Name 356 The UAE Economy: The Pillars of Success 88 Selecting a Local Partner Sponsor or Service Agent 358 The UAE: A Story of Growth 90 Selecting the Form of the Business Entity 359 The UAE: A Sound Macroeconomic Environment 94 Types of Business Licenses in the UAE 370 A Bright Economic Outlook 100 Third Party Approvals 374 The UAE: A Progressive Economic Policy 102 Commercial Registration 378 The UAE: an Open and Flexible Trade Policy 106 Establishing a Free Zone Business Entity: 380 The UAE: A Visionary Approach 126 Employment in the UAE: Easy Regulations and Spirited Workforce 384 The United Arab Emirates A World of Opportunities 133 Chapter 4 The United Arab Emirates A Rooted Business Culture 387 Energy 135 Chapter 8 The Emirati Identity 389 [Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production, Petrochemicals, Utilities Infrastructure Development, Renewable Energy, Mining and Quarrying] [Modern Identity Burj Al Arab, Dubai Burj Khalifa, Dubai The Palm Trilogy and The World, Dubai International Sports, Saadiyat Island Real Estate and Construction 153 Abu Dhabi, Yas Island Abu Dhabi] [Real Estate Development and Investment, Construction, Infrastructure Development, Property and Facility Management ] Down to Business 395 Tourism and Hospitality 173 [The Emirati Perspectives, Interaction, Conversations, What to Wear] [Spas and Recreation Facilities, Tourism and Travel Services, Museums and Historical Tourism, Events and Incentives Tourism] Chapter 9 Relocating to the United Arab Emirates 401 Manufacturing 189 Things to do Prior to Arrival 403 [Petrochemical Industries, High Tech and Heavy Industries, Light and Mechanical Housing and Accommodation 408 Industries, Consumer Industries, Food Processing Industries] Banking Processes and Procedures 410 Health Care and Pharmaceuticals 205 Essential Do’s and Don’ts 412 [Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Hospitals and Clinical Treatment, Medical Tourism, Education 414 Medical Equipment and Technology] Driving and Etiquette 415 Telecommunications, Media and Information Technology 217 Health Services on Offer 417 [Telecommunications, Satellite Communications, Business Process Outsourcing, Lifestyle and Entertainment 418 Information Technology, Media] Getting Around 421 The United Arab Emirates The Fundamentals Chapter 1 The United Arab Emirates The Fundamentals Rooted in its unique fundamentals of unlimited “ambition, flexibility and openness, the United Arab Emirates succeeded to evolve to be the energetic modern civilization as perceived today. The same cultural foundations that have built the blocks of the nation along with the foresighted strategic planning by visionary leadership have been driving the country’s “ economy to a higher level. Chapter 1 The United Arab Emirates The Fundamentals 16 17 international commercial interests. This unlimitedness, deeply rooted in its culture, has also produced an embedded openness that resulted in a very unique 1900 demography throughout the history. Its port- Population nlimitedness is the characteristic that cities, from Jelfar to Dubai, have always been 25,000 defines the fundememntals upon which points of attraction for those who seek growth U Nationalities and for those with ambition. Recognizing the United Arab Emirates are based. It was not Local Arabs a coincidence that a country, born in the second these unique fundamentals, the leaders of the day of December 1971 is now a top global country’s most recent renaissance have chosen Business Activities investment and trading hotspot.