United Arab Emirates Overview Country Overview The Emirates are bordered to the north by the Gulf and the Musandam Peninsula, to the east by Oman, to the south and west by Saudi Arabia and to the northwest by Qatar. The land is mountainous and mostly desert. Abu Dhabi is flat and sandy, and within its boundaries is the Buraimi Oasis. Dubai has a 16km (10-mile) deep-water creek, giving it the popular name of ‘Pearl of the Gulf’. A predominantly modern city, Abu Dhabi nevertheless retains some of its ancient past. The Diwan Amiri (White Fort) was built in 1793 and still survives. There are many mosques, from the huge blue mosque on the corner of the Corniche to the smaller one in the centre of Khalifa Street Roundabout, surrounded by trees. Dubai has outstanding sporting and conference facilities. Bur Dubai, the original town, has old buildings, atmospheric alleyways and markets. General Information Area: 77,700 sq km (30,000 sq miles). Population: 2,724,000 (official estimate 1998). Population Density: 35.1 per sq km. Capital: Abu Dhabi. Population: 398,695 (1995). GEOGRAPHY: The Emirates are bordered to the north by the Gulf and the Musandam Peninsula, to the east by Oman, to the south and west by Saudi Arabia and to the northwest by Qatar. They comprise a federation of seven small former sheikhdoms. Abu Dhabi is the largest Emirate, and the remainder (Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm al Qaiwain and Ras al-Khaimah) are known collectively as the Northern States. The land is mountainous and mostly desert. Abu Dhabi is flat and sandy, and within its boundaries is the Buraimi Oasis. Dubai has a 16km (10-mile) deep-water creek, giving it the popular name of ‘Pearl of the Gulf’. Sharjah has a deep-water port on the Batinah coast at Khor Fakkan, facing the Indian Ocean. Ras al-Khaimah is the fourth emirate in size. Fujairah, one of the three smaller sheikhdoms located on the Batinah coast, has agricultural potential, while Ajman and Umm al Qaiwain were once small coastal fishing villages. Government: Federation of seven autonomous Emirates. Head of State: Sheikh Zâyid Bin Sultân An-Nahyân (Emir of Abu Dhabi) since 1971. Head of Government: Vice President Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (Emir of Dubai) since 1979. Language: Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken and used as a second language in commerce. Religion: Mostly Muslim, of which 16 per cent are Shiite and the remainder Sunni. Time: GMT + 4. Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are widespread. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available both to and from all states. Country code: 971. Outgoing international code (Abu Dhabi): 00. Main area codes: Abu Dhabi 2; Ajman, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain 6; Al Ain 3; Dubai 4; Fujairah 9; Jebel Ali 4 and Ras al-Khaimah 7. There is a good local telephone network. Telephone calls within each state are free. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network. Network operators include ETISALAT (website: www.etisalat.co.ae). Fax ETISALAT offices at main centres provide a service. All hotels have facilities. Internet Internet cafes provide public access to Internet and e-mail services. ISPs include Emirates Telecommunication (website: www.emirates.net.ae). Telegram Services are run by ETISALAT, which has offices throughout the Emirates and are also available through main post offices. Post Airmail letters and parcels take about five days to reach Europe. Press English-language daily newspapers include Gulf News, Khaleej Times and Emirates News. Foreign newspapers are available in hotel bookshops and supermarkets. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.58 11.76 9.410 1.413 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.21 11.82 9.760 1.197 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes No/1 Yes Australian Yes No/3 Yes Canadian Yes No/3 Yes USA Yes No/3 Yes OtherEU Yes No/2 Yes Japanese Yes No/3 Yes Restricted entry and transit: The Government of the UAE refuses entry and transit to nationals of Israel. PASSPORTS: Passport valid for a minimum of three months from date of arrival required by all. Often a sponsor will hold a visitor’s passport. In these cases a receipt will be issued. This will generally be accepted in place of a passport where a transaction may require one. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) 1. nationals of the UK with the endorsement ‘British Citizen’ for a maximum of 30 days; (b) 2. nationals of EU countries for a maximum of 30 days; (c) 3. nationals of Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, USA and Vatican City for a maximum of 30 days; (d) nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia; (e) transit passengers, provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Note: The Embassy only issues visas for diplomatic or service visits. For routine travel, visas for tourists and travellers (intending to visit family) and business travellers must be arranged via the sponsor (the hotel/package tour operator or UAE resident/company concerned). To obtain approval, the sponsor will require the visitor’s proposed flight and passport details in advance. Business visits are made by invitation only and proof of company trading licence is required. Types of visa and cost: Visitor and Business: £20. Price given is for UK nationals but price is dependent on nationality. Validity: 30 days from date of entry and two months from date of issue. It may be possible to extend visas on request for up to a maximum of 90 days at the local immigration office. Application to: Sponsor (as described above). Application requirements: Contact local sponsor for details of individual requirements. Working days required: Five. Money Currency: UAE Dirham (Dh) = 100 fils. Notes are in denominations of Dh1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Dh1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 fils. Note: The Dirham is tied to the US Dollar. Currency exchange: Most hotels will handle the exchange of foreign currency. Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Currency restrictions: The import and export of both local and foreign currency are unrestricted. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the UAE Dirham against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date Feb ’02 May ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 5.25 5.35 5.81 5.85 $1.00= 3.67 3.67 3.67 3.67 Banking hours: Sat-Wed 0730-1300, Thurs 0730-1200. Some also open Sat-Wed 1630-1800. Duty Free The following items may be imported into the United Arab Emirates without incurring customs duty: 2000 cigarettes and 400 cigars and 2kg of tobacco; 2l of spirits of more than 22 per cent alcohol, and 2l of wine (non-Muslims over 18 years only); a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use. Prohibited items: Drugs, unstrung pearls except for personal use, firearms and ammunition, raw seafood, fruit and vegetables from cholera-infected areas. Public Holidays Dec 2 2002 National Day. Dec 6-8 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Feb 12 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 5 Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year). May 14 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Aug 6 Accession of HH Sheikh Zayed. Sep 24 Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). Nov 26-28 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 2 National Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 22 Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year). May 2 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Aug 6 Accession of HH Sheikh Zayed. Sep 12 Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 2 National Day. Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to ten days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No No Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio 1 N/A Malaria 2 N/A 1: Immunisation against polio is advised; typhoid occurs in rural areas. 2: Malaria is not considered to be a risk in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi nor in the cities of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman or Umm al Qaiwain. There is, however, a risk of contracting the disease (predominantly the benign vivax form) in the valleys and on the lower slopes of mountainous areas of the Northern States. In these areas chloroquine or proguanil are recommended, plus protection against mosquito bites. Food & drink: Tap water in major cities is safe to drink, but in small villages it should be filtered, or bottled water should be used. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks: Cutaneous leishmaniasis and tick-borne typhus may occur; avoid mosquito, sandfly and tick bites. Wear shoes to avoid soil-borne parasites. Take precautions against heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Immunisation against hepatitis A is recommended. Hepatitis B is endemic. Rabies is present close to the border with Oman. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care: Medical facilities are of a very high quality, but are extremely expensive. Private health insurance is essential. Travel - International AIR: The national airlines are Emirates (EK) and Gulf Air (GF). Emirates operates international flights to and from Dubai; Gulf Air serves all UAE airports. Emirates is expanding services to the Far East. Many other airlines operate scheduled services to Dubai. Approximate flight times: From London to Abu Dhabi is 6 hours 35 minutes and to Dubai is 7 hours; from Frankfurt/M to Dubai is 6 hours; from Hong Kong to Dubai is 8 hours and from Nairobi to Dubai is 4 hours. International airports: Abu Dhabi (AUH) is 32km (20 miles) east of the city (travel time – 40 minutes). Buses and taxis are available at the airport. Airport facilities include duty-free shop, 24-hour bank, bar, snack bar, bureau de change, post office and car hire. Dubai (DXB) (website: www.dubaiairport.com) is 5km (3 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 10 minutes). Taxis are available at the airport. Airport facilities include duty-free shop, bank, post office, shops, car hire, restaurant, snack bar and bar. The airport consists of two terminals and a new concourse. Sharjah (SHJ) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. Taxis are available at the airport. Airport facilities include duty-free shop, car hire, bar, restaurant, snack bar and bank (only open restricted hours). Ras al-Khaimah (RKT) is 15km (9 miles) from the city. Taxis are available at the airport. Airport facilities include a duty-free shop and restaurant/snack bar. There is also an airport at Fujairah with duty-free facilities, and one is being constructed at Al Ain. Departure tax: None. SEA: The main international ports are Jebel Ali, Rashid and Zayed (Abu Dhabi), Khalid (Sharjah), Saqr (Ras al-Khaimah) and Fujairah. Cruises call at Abu Dhabi and the newly opened cruise terminal in Dubai, and there are passenger/cargo services to the USA, the Far East, Australia and Europe. There are regular sailings between Sharjah and Bandar-é-Abbas (Iran). ROAD: There is a good road into Oman and a fair one into Qatar which connects with the Trans-Arabian Highway on the overland route to Europe. Buses run daily between Dubai and Muscat (Oman) and also between Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia. Travel - Internal AIR: A daily flight now links Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Flights can also be chartered and there are small landing fields throughout the United Arab Emirates. SEA: Commercial and passenger services serve all coastal ports. A water taxi travels between Dubai and Deira across the creek. ROAD: There are good tarmac roads running along the west coast between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah; between Sharjah and Dhaid; and linking Dubai with other Northern States and the interior. Traffic drives on the right and the speed limit in built-up areas is 60kph (38mph) and 80-100kph (50-63mph) elsewhere. Bus: Limited services link most towns. However, most hotels run their own scheduled bus services to the airport, city centre and beach resorts. Taxi: Available in all towns. In Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain, urban journey fares are metered, whilst fares for longer journeys should be agreed in advance. There is a surcharge for air-conditioned taxis. Many travellers find taxis to be the quickest and most convenient method of travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Car hire: Most international car hire companies have offices at airports or hotels. A passport and either a valid international or national licence are necessary. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A local driving licence can be issued on presentation of a valid national driving licence, two photos and a passport. Accommodation Accommodation is plentiful and some very reasonable prices can be found, with rates remaining constant all year round. Most of the major international hotel chains are represented, ie Forte, Hilton, Hyatt, Inter-Continental, Marriott, Ramada and Sheraton. There are also top-class beach resort hotels at Jebel Ali and Jumeirah Beach Hotel and a mountain resort hotel at Hatta Fort. Confirmation of reservation by fax is necessary. For more information, contact the Government of Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (see Contact Addresses section). Abu Dhabi A predominantly modern city, Abu Dhabi nevertheless retains some of its ancient past. The Diwan Amiri (White Fort) was built in 1793 and still survives. There are many mosques, from the massive blue mosque on the corner of the Corniche to the tiny one in the centre of Khalifa Street Roundabout, surrounded by trees. There is also a museum. The oldest part of the town is the Batin area, served daily by the fishing dhows bringing their catch of Gulf prawns and other fish to the small harbours. The old building yards demonstrate craftsmen’s skills which have remained unchanged for centuries. The city has ancient burial mounds at Um al Nar. EXCURSIONS: Al Ain, 100km (60 miles) from Abu Dhabi, is an oasis and former caravan stop, built on a huge fertile plain. There is spectacular scenery along the journey from Abu Dhabi. The resort includes a camel market, zoo and museum containing old and new artefacts and Mesopotamian pottery. There is also a water spring at Ain Faidha, 14km (9 miles) from Al Ain. There are important archaeological digs at Hili, 10km (6 miles) from Al Ain. The stone tombs, including the famous Great Sepulchre, date back 5000 years. South of Al Ain is the Hafit Mountain, containing ancient tombs, pottery and swords. There are more ancient sites worth visiting at Um Al Nar and Badi’i Bent Saud. A fun park is situated at Al-Hir and majestic sand seas are to be seen at Liwa. Other areas of great scenic beauty include Qarn Island, Belghilam Island (famous for its gazelle breeding), near to Sadiyat Island, and Abul-Abyadh Island. Dubai The ‘Pearl of the Arabian Gulf’ grew up as a seafaring settlement along either side of the Creek, a natural harbour for dhow traders, pearl divers and fishermen. Deira on the northern bank and Bur Dubai to the south are connected by a tunnel and two bridges and can also be reached by abra (water taxi). Bur Dubai has substantial areas of old buildings, atmospheric alleyways and souks (markets), including the world-famous Gold Souk and colourful Spice Souk. Fascinating glimpses of the past can be gained from Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum (which houses, among other things, artefacts recovered from the ancient graves at Al-Ghusais), the traditional windtower houses of the nearby Bastakiya district and, at the mouth of the Creek, the magnificently restored Sheikh Saeed’s Palace, as well as the diving and heritage villages. The Deira side of the creek is cosmopolitan and lively, with many attractive gardens and first-class shopping facilities, ranging from Western-style shops to the ancient souks where spices, perfume, clothing, antiques, handicrafts and jewels are available. Dubai’s thriving tourist industry is based on guaranteed sunshine, a clean and safe environment, bargain shopping and superb sporting facilities, especially for golf and watersports. A long ribbon of development alongside the Gulf, extending south and west of Dubai city to Jebel Ali offers an impressive range of coastal hotels and resorts. The recreation and sporting complex en route to Jebel Ali includes a golf course and an all-grass cricket pitch. Freshwater lakes can also be seen here, full of Japanese carp. The emirate has many well-qualified tour companies offering such activities as desert safaris by four-wheel drive, sand-skiing, moonlit bedouin barbeques, camel riding and dhow cruises. The Dubai World Cup (the world’s richest horse race), the PGA Desert Classic Golf Tournament, Dubai Shopping Festival and more than 80 major trade exhibitions are among the high-profile events attracting business and leisure visitors to the city each year. EXCURSIONS: The ancient fortressed village of Hatta and Wadi Hatta, a lush and attractive valley in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains with superb desert scenery on the journey from Dubai. The rest of the Emirates THE DESERT: A spectacular and varied wilderness of magnificent red dunes and stark mountains with pockets of green oases. It is possible to meet the nomadic Bedu folk, whose hospitality is famous, and to watch camel races at dawn. EXCURSIONS: Include visits to Bedu villages and to the stunning white sand dunes at Awir, where there is a national park. There is a selection of ‘safari’ holidays available. THE EAST COAST: This impressive stretch of lush coastline makes a dramatic change after the desert, with steep mountains, unspoilt sandy bays and beaches, ancient fortresses and date palm groves sloping down to the edge of the Indian Ocean with its host of marine life. Scuba diving and snorkelling are very popular here and many forms of watersports are available at the hotels. EXCURSIONS: Include visits to the resorts of Dibba and Fujairah, where there is a museum, a Necropolis, an old fort and, nearby, many small mountain villages. THE NORTHERN EMIRATES: This region has undergone a dramatic transformation since the discovery of natural gas in 1980 and there has been a considerable amount of expansion in the commercial sector. Sharjah is an excellent shopping centre, with its new souk containing hundreds of shops. There is also an ancient fort and heritage museum. EXCURSIONS: Include visits to Ras al-Khaimah, where there is an old seaport with spectacular views over the coast and the Hajar Mountains; and also visits to the Dhaid and Khatt oases, the latter with mineral springs. There are also trips available to the natural harbour at Dibba and the beautiful Khor Kalba, one of the most famous shell beaches in the world. The archaeological site at Mileiha (in Sharjah itself) dates back to the fourth century BC; 80-million-year-old fossils are to be seen here. Other archaeological sites include Dur at Umm al-Qaiwain where Hellenic ruins can be seen (210-100 BC), the Drabhaniya ruins in Ras al-Khaimah and the Zaura ruins in Ajman. Important resort areas are Khor Fakkan, which has excellent beaches and watersports facilities and Khalid Lagoon (an aquatic park with several islands and a miniature theme park). Sport & Activities Golf: Dubai has been declared the number one golf destination worldwide, by the International Golf Tour Operators Association. The Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, which opened in 1988, was the first grass golf course in the Gulf. In addition, there is also the Abu Dhabi Golf Club (whose facilities include two 18-hole grass courses and a floodlit driving range), Dubai Creek Golf Club and the Nad Al Shiba Golf and Racing Club. Watersports: Boats and water-skiing equipment are available for hire. Sailing and windsurfing are popular around Dubai and boats are available for hire. The waters off Dubai are considered among the best areas in the world for diving. There are sub-aqua clubs in main centres and an extensive range of equipment is available for hire. Swimming is possible in the many hotel pools or beaches. There is an abundance of game fish in the Gulf. Fully-equipped boats with crew can be hired from the Jebel Ali Hotel marina for deep-sea fishing trips. Spectator sports: Boat racing for about 30 rowers is a traditional sport that is becoming increasingly popular. Camel- and horseraces are also held at various race tracks. Football has become more popular and can be seen in most large towns and there are three thriving rugby clubs in Dubai. Falconry is extremely popular among Arabs. Other: Horseriding is available at several riding centres, and rides through the desert are organised regularly. Many hotels and clubs have tennis courts and there are squash courts in main centres. Bowling alleys can be found in hotels and clubs. Social Profile Food & Drink: Specialities of Arab cuisine include hoummus (chickpea and sesame paste), tabbouleh (bulghur wheat with mint and parsley), ghuzi (roast lamb with rice and nuts), warak enab (stuffed vine leaves) and koussa mashi (stuffed courgettes). In the Emirates, makbous (spicy lamb with rice) and seafood with spicy rice are also popular. Local fruit and vegetables are increasingly available and there is excellent local fish. Hotels serve both European and Arab food and there is also a number of Chinese, Indian and other restaurants. Frozen foods from all over the world are available in supermarkets. All the Emirates, with the exception of Sharjah, permit the consumption of alcohol by non-Muslims. It is illegal to drink alcohol in the street or to buy it for a UAE citizen. Ayran (a refreshing yoghurt drink) or strong black coffee are served on many occasions. Nightlife: There are several nightclubs located in major centres and entertainment ranges from Arabic singers and dancers to international pop stars. Bars are found in all top hotels and range from sophisticated cocktail lounges to English-style pubs. Some hotels also have discos. Traditional dances are performed on public holidays. Most large towns have cinemas showing English-language films. Shopping: Customs duties are low and therefore luxury goods are cheaper than in most countries. The Dubai duty-free shop is one of the cheapest in the world. Souks sell traditional Emirate leather goods, gold, brass and silverware. Shopping hours: Daily 0900-2100. Shops close for prayers Fri 1130-1330. Special Events: The following is a selection of major festivals and other special events celebrated in the United Arab Emirates during 2003: Jan 10 Dubai Marathon. Jan 15-Feb 15 Dubai Shopping Festival. Mar 6-9 Dubai Desert Classic (golf tournament); Dubai Tennis Open. Mar 29 Dubai World Cup (horse race). Jun UAE National Sailing Championships, Dubai. Jun/Aug Dubai Summer Surprises (shopping festival). Dec Dubai Rugby Sevens; National Day Festival. Social Conventions: Muslim religious laws should be observed. Women are expected to dress modestly and men should dress formally for most occasions. Smoking is the same as in Europe and in most cases it is obvious where not to smoke, except during Ramadan when it is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public. Tipping: Most hotels, restaurants and clubs add fairly high service charges to the bill, therefore tipping is not necessary. Taxi drivers are not tipped. Business Profile Economy: Oil and gas are the Emirates’ main industries, and underpin the country’s considerable prosperity. Although average annual revenues have declined in line with low prevailing world oil prices, the Emirates have had sufficient funds to invest in major industrial and infrastructure-related projects. Outside the oil and gas sector, which includes refining and the production of oil-derived chemicals, most economic activity is government sponsored, and designed to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil. This strategy has been reasonably successful and the oil sector’s contribution to GDP is now down to about 50 per cent. Chemicals, aluminium and steel production are the most important of the new industries. Other newly established industries produce consumer goods for the domestic market. There is some agriculture, mostly livestock rearing, in what is an unfavourable climate; fishing is also significant. The economy has been fairly sluggish in recent years, again due to declining oil and gas revenues. Current annual GDP growth is less than one per cent, although this is expected to rise during 2003 in line with the increase in oil prices. Most of the country’s economic development has been concentrated in the two richest and most powerful of the seven Emirates, Abu Dhabi and Dubai; the remainder are relatively underdeveloped. UAE is a member of OPEC, and of the Gulf Co-operation Council which is increasingly concerning itself with regional economic collaboration. Imports into the UAE are dominated by the Japanese (the main buyer of the Emirates’ oil and gas), followed by the USA, the UK, Germany and South Korea. Business: Business entertaining will often be lavish. Suits should be worn and prior appointments are essential. English is widely spoken in business circles, but translation services are likely to be available. Office hours: Sat-Wed 0800-1300 and 1500/1600-1800/1900 and Thurs 0800-1200. Government office hours: Sat-Wed 0730-1330, Thurs 0730-1200. All offices are closed every afternoon during the month of Ramadan. Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 3014, Abu Dhabi (tel: (2) 621 4144; fax: (2) 633 9210; e-mail: fcciauh@emirates.net.ae; website: www.fcci.gov.ae); or Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 1457, Dubai (tel: (4) 228 0000; fax: (4) 221 1646; e-mail: dcciinfo@dcci.gov.ae; website: www.dcci.gov.ae). In addition, each of the Emirates has its own chamber of commerce. Conferences/Conventions: The Dubai International Congress Centre can accommodate 10,000 delegates. At Port Rashid in Dubai, the new cruise terminal has a wide range of facilities including a business centre with Internet access and a conference room. Dubai World Trade Centre hosts a multitude of events (including car rallies and tennis exhibitions). Many hotels in the UAE offer high-standard conference and meeting facilities. For further information on conference and convention facilities, contact the Dubai World Trade Centre, PO Box 9292, Dubai (tel: (4) 332 1000; fax: (4) 331 2173; e-mail: info@dwtc.com; website: www.dwtc.com); or Government of Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (see Contact Addresses section). Climate The best time to visit is between October and May. The hottest time is from June to September with little rainfall. Required clothing: Lightweights, with mediumweights from November to March; warmer clothes for evening. History and Government History: This group of small sheikhdoms on the coastline of the Persian Gulf was a backwater of the Islamic civilisation, which prospered in the Middle East from the seventh century onwards. It was then under loose Ottoman control, until the arrival of European colonists in the 1820s, when it was brought under British suzerainty after attacks on British-owned shipping by pirates operating in the Gulf region. The local Arab rulers signed a treaty with the British in 1853, under which they accepted British military protection and in turn promised to refrain from piracy. In the 1950s, the British sought to weld the seven distinct regimes of the Trucial States into a single administrative bloc. Two factors set the future course of the territory: the 1968 decision by the British to withdraw military forces from the Gulf area; and the discovery of oil, which gave a sudden and rapid boost to the economy of the region. The United Arab Emirates came into being as an independent state on 2 December 1971. Internal politics are prone to instability, because of the uncertain nature of the federation and boundary disputes. Sharjah, in particular, has been the subject of a couple of coup attempts. However, the ruling families in the two main emirates, Dubai (the al-Makhtoums) and Abu Dhabi (whose ruler, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan, is the current president of the UAE), have managed to stabilise the federation. After a quiet start on the international stage, the UAE has taken an active role in Middle Eastern politics, both as a founding member of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) – the principal pan-national grouping in the region – and as a mediator in disputes including those between Israel and the Palestinians, Morocco and Algeria, Iran and Iraq, and Oman and Yemen. It was also one of the first Gulf states to establish diplomatic relations with China and the nations of the former USSR. In August 1990, in common with other members of the Gulf Co-operation Council, the UAE gave its firm backing to the US-led anti-Iraqi coalition. After the war, the UAE enhanced its national security by participating in various GCC defence initiatives, as well as signing bilateral agreements with both the USA and the UK. The political situation in the Gulf has been sensitive ever since. The American strategy of ‘dual containment’ (of Iran and Iraq) caused some difficulties for the essentially pro-Western UAE regime throughout the 1990s. The UAE has a long-standing territorial dispute with Iran over ownership of three small Gulf islands – Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and Abu Musa. The islands occupy a strategic position close to Gulf shipping lanes and substantial oil and gas fields. That dispute has yet to be resolved, although several other lesser conflicts with other Gulf states (principally Qatar) have been settled. In 2003, the prospect of an Anglo-American assault on Iraq is viewed ambivalently by the Emirates – most of the population are strongly opposed and, like most countries in the territory, the UAE is fearful of the consequences of another war in the region. Government: The highest federal authority is the Supreme Council of Rulers comprising the absolute rulers of the seven emirates. Decisions reached by the Council must have the agreement of at least five members, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the two largest members. The council appoints a president to act as head of state. There are no political parties. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.