Thanks to aggressive marketing efforts by Dubai, this small country is emerging as trade center for the entire Middle East Region. No language barriers here, English as commonly used language, other major dialects of the world are also in use here.
With the comfort and convenience of the western world with the unique charm and hospitality of Arabia superb facilities for sport and recreation, from golf and watersports to desert safaris and dhow cruises, Dubai is a place to relax.
One of the best sea ports, Airports, Healthy government incentives as no foreign exchange controls, low import duties have all made this place as one of very best places for International Trade.
Despite that United Arab Emirates has a relatively smaller population than other Middle East countries; thanks to aggressive efforts by its Government, its total imports have grown by about 1000% in past less than a decade that has Dubai to emerge as the major re-export centre for the entire Middle East region. For its attractive features, Dubai has really been able to attract many international businesses interested in developing their market in the Middle East. The sheer size of the market in Dubai has grown increasing at a steady pace.
Most of the economies in Middle East region, being serviced through Dubai are at early stage of development and as such have tremendous scope to grow. This really has boosted Dubai’s non oil exports to grow manifold. Many of the economies of the region, which are being serviced by Dubai, are still at a relatively early stage of development. As a result, there is plenty of long-term scope for diversification and expansion. As a major supplier of goods to such emerging markets as India, the CIS, Central Asia and Africa, Dubai is well poised to further strengthen its status as the distribution hub of the Middle East. Dubai has carved out an important role catering to the increasing demand for foodstuff, high technology equipment and luxury products in the small but prosperous Gulf countries in the region.
Besides inter-Gulf trade, Dubai also reaches huge markets including East African countries, the CIS, Iran and the Indian sub-continent. Small and medium business houses of mass consumer products, by establishing a base in Dubai, can successfully find readily available buyers for their goods.
The absence of foreign exchange controls, quotas, trade barriers and the fact that import duties are extremely low, and that many products are duty exempt, has made Dubai as the business centre of the Middle East. Dubai has Emirate’s efficient transport and telecommunications infrastructure - an indispensable requirement in today’s fast moving corporate world. The Dubai International Airport, which will soon undergo a major expansion project, is served by over 70 airlines at present and Dubai’s ports, one of the best in the world, are served by more than 100 shipping lines
Dubai-based entrepreneurs conduct International business with local flavor and are successfully able to blend their local and regional expertise with a full understanding of international business practices. Language has never been a restraining factor in Dubai’s multi-cultural trading community. Besides English, which is widely used as the main language of business, major dialects of the world are also in use here. Many foreign banks, lawyers, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, the Economic Department, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority etc render good advise to would be investors.
Dubai has already been able to attract manufacturers and exporters from all over the world. Competition breeds quality. If your products can compete in price, technology, design and value be sure of success in the lucrative Dubai market.
Excellent Transport Network
Despite having most modern airports in the world, region has no domestic air transportation network, no railways. However land transport is excellent. A concrete road network links all main cities. Abu Dhabi-Dubai Highway is being upgraded and in general all roads are being widened. Goods are imported for the most part by sea and distributed by truck within the UAE and to nearby locations in neighboring GCC countries.
In a bid to diversify its economy away from oil to regional trade, Dubai has developed airport and two seaports to ensure professional handling of cargo with considerable expertise and precision. Another reason for Dubai getting a boost in the business of unloading, breaking down, and reloading cargo for onward shipment is that international shippers operating between Europe and the Far East prefer to make only one stop in the Gulf. Dubai’s facilities and sheer expertise in this area make its ports the preferred stopovers for most shippers on these routes.
Dubai is aggressively expanding in new re-export markets, and it has developed trade ties with the newly independent Central Asian states of the former Soviet Union and South Africa. Cargo is unloaded and the ferried to Iranian ports before bringing to markets in central Asia via road and rail lines. Dubai’s international airport handles more air cargo than any other airport in the region, most of it coming into Dubai by sea from the Far East enroute to Europe.
Free Trade Zones
UAE import tariffs are low and in most cases are not leviable. Dubai has waived off requirement of majority local ownership and this has been chief attraction of the free zones. Here, foreigners can own entire equity in an enterprise. The largest and most successful of the free zones is the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) in Dubai. Besides, special incentives, each free zone offers subsidized energy rates, no taxation for many years, full repatriation of capital and profits. In addition significant support services, such as sponsorship, worker housing, dining facilities, recruitment, and security etc are provided for a nominal fee.
Shopping Paradise
Dubai is truly an exotic destination with a cosmopolitan lifestyle, Dubai combines the comfort and convenience of the western world with the unique charm and hospitality of Arabia.
The city offers superb facilities for sport and recreation, from golf and watersports to desert safaris and dhow cruises. Or simply the opportunity to relax and enjoy year-round sunshine on clean, uncrowded beaches.
Gold, jewellery, designer clothes, cameras, electronics, oriental rugs - whatever your taste, Dubai is a shoppers' paradise. In shopping malls, the bargains galore. Dubai’s culture firmly rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia courtesy and hospitality are among the most highly prized virtues. You are bound to be charmed by the genuine warmth and friendliness that greets the visitors.
One of Dubai's greatest attractions is the superb shopping. Being an open port with very low import duties and no taxation, the city offers the bargain hunter unbeatable value for money. Most major brand name products are readily available, and are often less expensive in Dubai than their country or origin. Dubai is also sports capital of the Middle East”, hosting world class international events that attract some of the biggest names in their respective sports, whether in golf, tennis, horse racing, rallying powerboating, rugby or sailing.
Ideal Destination for winter break
For Holidayers, an ideal starting point is Dubai's picturesque Creek, a natural inlet from the Gulf which bisects the city into Deira and Bur Dubai. From here, traditional wooden dhows set out for the ports of India, the Gulf and East Africa. Here, the bustle of loading and unloading makes for a fascinating sight. Other places that would captivate your attention are the the narrow alleys of the souks, the restored house of Sheikh Saeed in Shindagha, windtowers of the Bastakiya district, the Al Ahmadieh School Dubai’s first educational institution and the ancient Al Fahidi Fort.
A wide range of tours and excursions are available. Among the most popular are safaris into the desert by four wheel drive, combining the excitement of dune driving with a glimpse of bedouin life, a camel farm visit and culminating, perhaps, at a moonlit Arabian barbecue. Dubai’s restaurants offer a microcosm of the world’s cuisine. The choice is limitless Gulf and Middle Eastern, India, Filipino, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, Mexican and much more.
Fast food ranges from several big international chains to “shawarma” outlets, selling grilled shavings of lamb or chicken, mixed with salad and rolled inside a pocket of Arabic bread. By night, Dubai has something for everyone. Bars and pubs can be found in all top hotels, most of them featuring live music. There are a choice of discotheques and Arabic nightclubs. And Dubai is on the regular circuit for many international stars from the top scene opera, Asian music and even the London theatre.
Apart from spectator sports, visitors to Dubai can actively participate in a wide variety of land and watersports that include golf, bowling, iceskating, archery, horse riding, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, water-sking, jet-sking, deep sea fishing and windsurfing. Facilities are excellent, the weather is perfect during the winter months and equipment can be hired at reasonable rates.
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