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The Arab-British Chamber of Commerce Mr Abdeslam El Idrissi Director of Trade Services. “Our relations with Britain are age-old. We are so close with one another and through this mutual closeness we have found that Britain is worth of respect and trust.”
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The Arab-British Chamber of CommerceMr Abdeslam El IdrissiDirector of Trade Services “Our relations with Britain are age-old. We are so close with one another and through this mutual closeness we have found that Britain is worth of respect and trust.” The late president and founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Overview The Arab world is held together by the twin pillars of Islam and the Arabic language. However, there are huge variations in history, culture and business practice between them. UK companies wishing to do business in the Arab world will find that they have advanced or developing modern economies and not to dissimilar to those of other overseas markets. These countries are more likely to require the kinds of goods and services that UK companies offer. particularly in Internationally Traded Services, such as software or third level education, and in manufacturing sectors. The Arab world offers a wide range of great business opportunities for UK companies.
The Arab States “The Arab States region is home to over 330 million people, living in 22 countries that stretch from Morocco, Mauritania and Algeria in the west to Yemen and Oman in the east, which equates to 5% of the world’s population and their combined economies surpass 1 trillion US dollars, and growing by 5% annually”
Algeria Bahrain Comoros Djibouti Egypt Iraq Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Palestine Libya 12. Mauritania 13.Morocco 14. Oman 15. Qatar 16. Saudi Arabia 17.Somalia 18.Sudan 19. Syria 20. Tunisia 21. UAE 22. Yemen The 22 Arab States
Algeria 33.3 million Bahrain 0.7 million Comoros 0.7 million Djibouti 0.5 million Egypt 80.1 million Iraq 27.5 million Jordan 6.1 million Kuwait 2.5 million Lebanon 3.9 million Libya 6.1 million Morocco 33.1 million Mauritania 3.2 million The 22 Arab States Population • Palestine 6.5 million • Oman 3.3 million • Qatar 0.9 million • Saudi Arabia 27.6 million • Sudan 39.3 million • Syria 19.3 million • Somalia 9.1 million • Tunisia 10.2 million • UAE 4.4 million • Yemen 22.2 million
Until 1500 : The area was a centre of sea piracy.16th century: The Portuguese started trade there.18th century: The British started trading in this region.1820: The British force the shaykhs on the coast to stop piracy.1853: A treaty signed between the shaykhs and the British. The region is given the name of 'Trucial coast'.1873: The Trucial Coast is administered by the British.1952: The seven emirates establish a Trucial Council.1970: Independence is given to the emirates.1971: United Arab Emirates established, and is made up of six of the emirates.1972: Ra'su l-Khayma joins the United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi (Capital) Dubai Sharjah Ajman Umm Al Quwain Fujairah Ras Al Khaimah President : H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Prime Minister & Vice President: H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum The United Arab Emirates
Rulers of the Emirates • HH President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi • HH Vice-President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai • HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah • HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ra’s al-Khaimah • HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah • HH Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mu’alla, Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain • HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman
The United Arab Emirates • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the largest market in the Middle East for the UK, in real terms it is the UK's 9th largest export market in the world. • The UAE’s economy is booming, and its programme of investment and privatisation offers good opportunities for UK businesses. • Trade between the two countries is growing at a fast pace and UK businesses are increasingly participating in the UAE's property and construction sectors. • UK Exports to UAE £3.6bn • UK Imports from UAE £1.1bn
UK’s main export sectors • Manufactured goods • Telecommunication • Industrial machinery • Vehicles • Power generation equipment • Know how
The Market • UAE is the leading regional hub • A growing market • A prosperous market • A diversified market • An accessible market
Business Environment • Highly developed economy • Free enterprise system • State-of-the-art telecommunications • Sophisticated financial and service sector • Top international exhibition and conference venues • High quality office and residential accommodation • Reliable power and utilities • First class hotel, hospitals, schools, shops and leisure facilities • Cosmopolitan lifestyle
UAE Business Climate • No Personal income and capital taxes • No corporate taxation • 100% repatriation of capital and profits • No currency restrictions • Competitive import duties (5% with many exemptions) • Modern efficient communications facilities • Simple staff recruitment procedures • Competitive freight charges
UAE Business Climate • Open & transparent market • English is widely spoken • Full range of banking and business services • First class infrastructure • Pro-business government policies • Free zones
Doing Business in UAE • UAE is a member of the WTO • No foreign-exchange controls • Customs Valuation & Import Tariffs Calculated on the CIF value at the rate of 5% • Intoxicating liquors: 50% of the CIF value • Tobacco products: 100% of the CIF value
UAE Free Zones • Further to its strategic location between Europe and Asia, the UAE has established numerous Free Trade Zone Areas to give businesses an additional incentive to be located there. • The Free Trade Zones in the UAE are well equipped with all the amenities, facilities and communication infrastructure required to set up a business. Furthermore, 100% foreign ownership is allowed with no recruitment or sponsorship requirements. Corporate tax and customs duty exemption on imported raw materials and equipment and no levy on exports and imports are some of the other benefits. • Jebel Ali Free Zone • Saadiyat Free Zone • Hamriyah Free Zone (Sharjah) • Ajman Free Zone • Sharjah Airport Free Zone
Doing Business in UAE • Sell directly to dealers and distributors • Commercial agency arrangements • Agent must be a UAE national/company • Agreement to be registered with Ministry of Economy and Commerce • Branch or representative office • 100% foreign ownership permitted • Local sponsor must be appointed • Limited liability company •foreign ownership restricted to 49% • local partner is required • Free zone establishment • 100% foreign ownership • No sponsor or partner required • no import duties
Free Zone Incentives • 100 per cent foreign ownership • Exemption on all import and re-export duties • 100 per cent repatriation of capital and profits • Freedom from corporate taxation for 50 years with an option to renew • No personal income taxes • An abundant and inexpensive energy supply • Simple, efficient recruiting procedures • High level of administrative support from authorities
Imports • Electronics Equipment • Jewellery • Vehicles • Machinery • Metals • Textiles Top 5 Source Countries • India (1) • China (2) • USA (3) • UK (4) • Japan (5) • Singapore (15)
Developments • World’s 3 largest man-made islands • The Palm Jumeirah • The Palm Jebel Ali • The Palm Deira • Over 60 luxury hotels, 5,000 residential beachside villas, 5,000 apartments, marinas and theme parks • Due for completion by 2009 • Dubai Metro • Shopping Malls
The World Islands • Consists of over 300 man-made islands that are designed to represent the world map • Located 4km offshore from Dubai • 9km (width) by 7km (length) • Visible from space • As of April 2006, 90% of land reclamation is complete, with 270 islands visible above water • Due for completion by late • 2008
Burj Dubai • World’s tallest tower, iconic • structure of Downtown Burj • Dubai Project • Completed 80 floors (277m) as of Oct 31 2006 • Burj Dubai is adding a new floor every 3 days • Will house one of the first Armani Hotels • Observation Deck at 442m. • To be completed in 2008
UAE The Place • To do business in • To Exhibit in • To holiday in • To live in
The Arab-British Chamber of Commerce Thank you Abdeslam El Idrissi Director of Trade Services 0207 659 4880 el-idrissi@abcc.org.uk www.abcc.org.uk