COUNTRY FOCUS – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ARAB NATIONS


over 1500 UAE students currently study in Australia. Australian universities and TAFEs are on the ground in Dubai or have partnerships with local institutions. ‘Australian’ schools are also in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The Australian Business Council, Dubai and the


Australian Business Group, Abu Dhabi are excellent business networks, with several hundred members each.


Bilateral trade Australian exports to the UAE in 2008/09 totalled A$3.6 billion, making the UAE our largest market in the Middle East and 13th globally. Five-year trend growth in exports was 28 per cent. Main exports in 2008-09 were gold, ‘confidential items’, which includes alumina, passenger motor vehicles, zinc and meat. Imports from the UAE totalled $1.9 billion, a drop


of 24 per cent on the previous year, however the five year trend growth was still a high 29.8 per cent. Crude petroleum dominated. The last decade has seen a significant broadening in


Australia’s exports to the UAE. Traditional trade was in alumina and food commodities, but now has broadened to include a wide range of services and manufactured products. Two thirds of the 300-plus Australian companies in the UAE are in the service sector.


Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi. Photo by: Poco a poco


Trade Agreement negotiations. Successful completion of the agreement should assist Australian exporters of both products and services gain greater and more assured market entry.


Doing business In the UAE, Abu Dhabi currently offers the best opportunities for Australian companies. As noted above, it is underpinned by substantial oil and gas revenue, a need to broaden the economy, improve and modernize infrastructure, expand housing, reform education and health, and provide real jobs for its young population. The UAE is a relatively open market and import


duties on most items are a low five per cent. Communications are excellent, especially electronic, as are shipping and air services. Australia’s profile is high, however the market is very competitive and companies need to establish


Sheikh Zayed Street, Dubai. Photo by: Simisa The UAE is a major market for Australia’s automotive


industry. Toyota exports the Camry and Aurion from its Altona, Melbourne plant while General Motors exports the Commodore and Caprice (sold in the Middle East under the Chevrolet brand) from Adelaide.


Significant changes in business conditions/ regulations Accession to the World Trading Organisation and pressure from the USA in particular have led to business practices and procedures moving towards international practice. A revised Commercial Law has been mooted for several years, which should give greater access to foreign companies. Bilateral free trade negotiations with the UAE began in 2005, however these have broadened into Australia GCC Free


and promote their points of advantage (quality, technology, delivery, price, etc). This is generally not a


market for unproven products or concepts. Companies need to make a long-term commitment. p


Sharjah Quayside. Lamprell. AUSTRALIA AND THE ARAB COUNTRIES | 2010 105


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