I

II

Table Of Content

1. Over view

2. History

3. Milestones

4. Demographics and socio cultural

5. Economy Overview

6. Industrial Evolution

7. Polity, Government and Leadership

8. Geo Political Significance

9. Relation of UAE with India

10. Country’s Latest Trends

III

Overview The UAE’s rich history is rooted in trade and tied to Islam, which came to the region in AD 630. The Unit-ed Ar-ab

Emirates (UAE) was formed as a federation of seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain), which came together as one state on the 2nd of December 1971.

Approximately 83,600 square kilometers (32,278 square miles). Abu Dhabi accounts for 87% of the country’s total landmass.

The climate of the UAE generally is a desert climate,

warm and sunny in winter, hot and humid during the summer months. The average annual rainfall in the coastal area is fewer than 120 mm (4.7 in), but in some mountainous areas annual rainfall often reach-es 350 mm (13.8 in) where it is also generally cooler.

The UAE’s most important natural resources are oil and gas, more than 90% of which are located in Abu Dhabi. The dirham (AED) is the currency of United Arab Emirates.

To be respectful of the UAE culture, it is better to

cover knees and shoulders and everything in be-tween.

Muslim women do cover their hair and/or face, especially Gulf Arabs, but that is because of cultural and religious reasons. Language is the most im-portant marker of identity for a country and the National Language in Dubai is Arabic which speaks a lot about the country and its people.

Although according to the Constitution of the coun-try the official language in Dubai is Arabic , yet Eng-lish is widely spoken and different regional lan-guages are also often used. Dubai has a flourishing tourism industry that require a multi lingual knowledge and therefore languages in Dubai are many. According to the UAE Labour Law the maxi-mum working hours in Dubai are eight hours per day, or 48 hours per week. The United Arab Emirates is home to a rich cultural heritage that has been strongly influenced by the resourcefulness of its people who exploited the harsh environment of the region to the limit.

IV

This resilience in the face of extreme hardship was supported by society’s tribal structure, which has

bound peo-ples togeth-er since successive waves of migration, beginning over 2,500 years ago, brought Arab tribes

to the region. The varied terrain that these peoples inhabited, i.e. desert, oasis, mountains and coast, dictated the traditional lifestyles that evolved over the centuries. A common religion, Islam, also provid-ed the cement that held the society together.

For Indian cuisine perhaps no better choice could be made than by visiting 'Ashiana. Situated in the Shera-ton Dubai Hotel and Towers. For a languorous meal of Lebanese and middle Eastern cuisine the visitor must

indulge his taste buds with a visit to 'AL Qasr' found in Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa. The culinary delights are accompanied by belly dancers and Arabic music, providing the perfect Arabian dream.

Shopping centers in Dubai form a major portion of the city's skyline. You can see a plethora of skyscrapers vying for their own little space in the all-encompassing sky.Most tourists from across the globe

come here lured by the thrill and amusement of shop-ping in Dubai.

Dubai's shopping centers are perpetually swarming with locals and tourists on Dubai tours. Sprinkled all across the emirate, Dubai shopping centers have been giving strong competition to the prime shopping des-tinations like Singapore, New York, Paris, etc. Second to none in their architectural magnificence, these dubai shopping market have become some of the biggest tourist attractions of Dubai.

V

“ It is difficult to be patient, but to waste the re-

wards for patience is worse”

Abu Bakr (r.a)

In the 19th century, the British signed a series of agree-

ments with the individual emirates that restricted them in

dealing with any other territory other than England (The

Trucial States ). In return British promised to protect them

from attacks of any country. The town of Abu Dhabi be-

came a in important centre for Europeans who sought

control over coast and inland.

The pearling

industry thrived

in 19th and early

20th centuries,

providing income

and employment

to the people of

the Gulf. Many

inhabitants were semi-nomadic, pearling in the summer

and tending date gardens in the winter.

In the early 1930s the first oil company teams conducted

geological surveys. In 1962, the first cargo of crude was

exported from Abu Dhabi. His Highness (H.H.) Sheikh

Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was chosen as Ruler of Abu

Dhabi in 1966. He undertook a massive program of con-

struction of schools, housing, hospitals and roads. Sheikh

Zayed bin Sultan early step was to increase contribution to

the Trucial States Development Fund. Abu Dhabi become

the largest donor. In 1939 H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al

Maktoum, de facto Ruler of Dubai started developing

shipping to replace pearling revenues. Dubai started ex-

porting oil in 1969, sheikh Rashid was able to improve life.

At the beginning of 1968, British announced its removal

from gulf that resulted ties among emirates.

VI

Agreement was between the rulers of six of the Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Shar-

jah, Umm al-Quwain, Fujairah and Ajman), and the Federation to be known as the

United Arab Emirates was formally established on December 2, 1971. The sev-

enth Emirate, Ra’s Al-Khaimah, following year. Since then, the seven Emirates have

forged a distinct national identity. In 2004, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

became president and has since continued to strive towards an ambitious vision

for the UAE. In less than four decades, the nation has transformed from a tribal

culture reliant on agriculture and fishing to an entrepreneurial success story with

world-class infrastructure. Today the UAE is a strong, vibrant and modern nation

that is open to the world. On 2 November 2004, the UAE's first president, Sheikh

Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died. His eldest son, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Na-

hyan, succeeded him as ruler of Abu Dhabi. In accordance with the constitution,

the UAE's Supreme Council of Rulers elected Khalifa as president.

Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan succeeded Khalifa as Crown Prince of Abu

Dhabi. In 2011, the Middle East saw a number of pro-democratic uprisings, popu-

larly known as the Arab Spring.

VII

Milestones

1820

Trucial Coast

1892

Independence Day

(control over

internal and exter-

nal affairs)

1948

Sheikh Saqr Bin-

Muhammad al-

Qasimi Ruler of

Ras al-Khaymah.

1952

1962

Oil is exported for

the first time from

Abu Dhabi.

1971

7 Emirates

forms United

Arab Emirates

Founded Gulf

Cooperation

Council in Abu

Dhabi.

1981

Coup Attempt

1987

Plans for UAE

1st election

2005

US politi-

cal storm

stating

Dubai was

home for

9/11 hi-

jacker

2006

France military base

in UAE (Abu Dhabi)

The seven emir-

ates form a Trucial

Council.

2005

Dubai

recession,

Abu Dhabi

gives

$10bn

2009

Plans to send

Aircraft to

mars

2014

VIII

Official Name Al-Imarat al- Arabiyyah al-Muttaḥidah (United Arab Emirates)

Form of government Federation of seven emirates with one advisory body (Federal National Council

Head of state President, ruler of Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed

Head of government Prime Minister: Sheikh Muḥammad ibn Rashīd Āl Maktūm

Capital Abu Dhabi

Official Language Arabic

Official religion Islam

Monetary unit Dirham (AED)

Population (2013 est.) 8,208,000

Total area (sq km) 83,600

Urban-rural population Urban: (2011) 84.4% , Rural: (2011) 15.6%

Literacy Male: (2007) 90.9%, Female: (2007) 89.2%

GNI per capita (U.S.$) 48220 in 2011, according to the World Bank

Demographics and socio cultural

IX

$1.84 trillion Gross Domestic Product $348.59 billion

$301.90 billion Export $350.10 billion

$1,489.24 GDP Per Capita $39,057.84

$477.00 billion Gross National Income $49.21 billion

29.8% Population Below Poverty Line 19.5%

8.5% UN-Employment Rate 2.4%

51.7% of GDP Public Debt 42.6% of GDP

5.37 million Tourist Arrival 7.13 million

$172.10 billion Budget Revenue $136.60 billion

X

Major Industrial Evolution

Industrial Sector's Contribution to GDP: - In 2010,

industry contributed $71.6bn or approximately 40% of

total non-oil GDP. Industrial contribution by segment

came from construction at $34.66bn, manufacturing

at $28.93bn, electricity, gas, and water at $7.62bn,

and quarrying at $390.9m.

Industrial Development in Dubai: - Over 15 years

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), one of the world’s fastest

growing free zones. JAFZA is currently home to over

6400 companies, including over 120 Fortune Global

500 enterprises. contributes nearly 8% to the GDP of

Dubai.

Industrial Development in Abu Dhabi: - By 2030,

Kizad Economic Zone is expected to contribute 15% of

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP. 60% to 80% of the goods

manufactured in KIZAD will be exported adding reve-

nue to country’s national income.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC),

Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) involved in

oil refining and gas processing. Oil is the foundation

of UAE’s economy. 212 trillion cubic feet, which is

about 4% of the worlds total.

Telecommunication Industry, DU and Etisalat

The EIA also reported that total UAE oil production for

2000 reached 2.29 million barrels of oil a day but that

Abu Dhabi's recent investments could push produc-

tion closer to 2.7 to 2.9 million barrels. Generally Abu

Dhabi has reduced its production to ensure that the

UAE stays within OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum

Exporting Countries) production guidelines.

XI

Construction and Real Estate, The Saadiyat project in

Abu Dhabi promises 28,000 new homes, a bridge

valued at US$220 million, and a new trade center

valued at US$95 million. For much of the 1980s and

1990s, the UAE underwent a building boom with new

office buildings rising daily in the UAE's major cities,

particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

TOURISM AND RETAIL.

The UAE has a thriving tourist industry centred in

Dubai, which has 70 percent of the country's hotels.

Dubai features horse races, desert safaris, golf

courses, and a number of five-and four-star hotels.

The emirate also has shopping festivals, such as the

Dubai Shopping Festival, where goods are heavily

discounted. The purpose of these festivals is to

attract visitors

XII

Polity, Government and Leadership Structure of Cabinet : - The Council of Ministers constitutes of the Prime Minister, his two depu-ties, the ministers of the UAE, wherein ministers are selected from a refined pool of high profile, highly qualified and expert UAE citizens. The Council is headed by a Prime Minister, who undertakes calling the council, managing its discussions, monitoring the performance of the ministers, supervising the coordination of work among ministries and all executive bodies within the federal government. The Ministry of Cabinet Affairs has been established, under which falls the General Secretariat, specializing in preparing the agenda of the council, arranging for its ses-sions, and handling all financial and administra-tive affairs related to its decisions.

Legislative Branch : - The Federal National Council (FNC) has 40 seats; the rulers of the seven Emirates appoint 20 members, and 20 are elected to four-year terms. The first elections were held in December 2006, and most recent ones in September 2011. In the most recent election, there were 129,274 eligible voters. The elections are not based on a party system, but on individual candidates. (There are no political parties in the UAE, because political parties are forbidden). In the 2011 election, there were 469 candidates (including 85 women) for 20 seats in the FNC. The next elections will be held in 2015.

UAE Government Leaders Programme

The “UAE Government Leaders Pro-gramme” was launched in February 2008 to develop outstanding govern-ment leaders in all federal ministries and entities, who can lead the efforts in contributing towards the growth of the UAE and achievement of the strategic goals of the UAE government.

XIII

Geo Political Significance

The UAE and Saudi War on Muslim Brotherhood

could be trouble for U.S.:- The UAE Cabinet approved

a list of 83 designated terrorist organizations on Satur-

day, including al Qaeda and the Islamic State. Much

more significant, though, was the inclusion of many

Muslim organizations based in the West that are be-

lieved to be allied with the Muslim Brotherhood

movement. Prominent among them are two American

Muslim groups: the Council on American Islamic Rela-

tions and the Muslim American Society. The decision

to put two mainstream U.S. Muslim groups on its list

of terrorist organizations is part of an initiative, to-

gether with the Saudis, to undermine the Islamist

movement known as the Muslim Brotherhood. The

move is unlikely to succeed, but it could cause prob-

lems between the U.S. government and the American

Muslim community.

Current Key Issue on the UAE for-

eign policy agenda :- Among all GCC countries , the

UAE and its incredible development during the last

years reflect the realistic and pragmatic approach of the

UAE leaders who take decisions by thinking always of

the consequences of their deeds and make efforts to

ensure the sustainability of their progress. In an inter-

view in Grand Millennium Hotel Al Wahda in Abu Dha-

bi, during a press conference occasioned by the 41th

anniversary of the UAE National Day, Dr Anwar Gar-

gash, minister of state with the UAE Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, presented the current main issues on the for-

eign policy agenda of the UAE. Dr Gargash thinks that

“The Arab Spring can be seen in 3 stages: first, the

idealistic phase where young people seeking freedom,

using social media, realising that they are

living in a stagnant regime that is unable to en-

sure them with greater participation and oppor-

tunities.. Another big issue for the UAE foreign

policy is Al Qaeda and Jihadism. because we have

seen our religion hijacked over the last 10-15

years by fundamentalists and we have seen the

results: instability in Pakistan, which is a close

neighbour, in Iraq after the fall of Sadam Hussein,

the deviation of the revolution in Syria, in many

ways, and the attempt to create zones of instabil-

ity in Yemen or Somalia. That is why the UAE

focuses on education and we try to counter these

destabilizing attempts; for instance, the UAE are

part of the ISAF in Somalia since 2003, we are

present in Yemen.

XIV

Bilateral Agreements: India and the UAE have signed a number of Agreements and MoUs from time-to-time, such as Cultural Cooperation Agreement (1975); Civil Aviation Agreement (1989); Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (1992); Agreement to Combat Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Sub-stances (1994); Extradition Treaty (1999); Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal & Civil Matters (1999); Agreement on Juridical and Judicial Coopera-tion in Civil and Commercial Matters (1999); MoU on Defence Cooperation (2003); MoU on Manpower Sourcing in (2006) A revised MoU on Manpower Sourcing (September 2011); and MoU on Political Consultations (June 2011); Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Agreement on Security Coop-eration (November 2011).

Economic & Commercial Relations: The traditionally close and friendly India-UAE bilateral relationship has evolved into a significant partnership in the economic and commercial sphere. Indians have emerged as important investors within the UAE and India as an important export destination for the UAE manufac-

tured goods. There are more than 450 flights per week between various destinations of India and the UAE. India-UAE trade, valued at US $ 180 million per annum in the 1970s reached level of $ 67 billion during 2010-2011. For UAE, India is the largest trad-ing partner. India's major export items to UAE are: petroleum products; precious metals; stones, gems & jewellery; minerals; food items (cereals, sugar, fruits & vegetables, tea, meat, and seafood); textiles (garments, apparel, synthetic fibre, cotton, yarn); and engineering & machinery products and chemicals.

Oil Trade: UAE was the fifth largest import source of crude oil for India in 2010-11 with import of 14.20 MMT of crude oil.

Investments: Total FDI from UAE to India is estimat-ed to be US$1.8 billion. UAE is the tenth biggest in-vestor in India in terms of FDI

Defence Cooperation: Both countries have regular exchange of dialogue in the field of defence with the

signing of MoU on Defence Cooperation in June 2003 and setting up of Joint Defence Cooperation Com-mittee (JDCC). The fourth Meeting of JDCC took place at Abu Dhabi in April 2011.

UAE and India Relationship

XV

Recent Trends, News and Festivals

Ireland cricketers celebrate their victory over the UAE in the 2015 Cricket World Cup Pool B

Dubai to built Middle East first rain forest

Three UAE Universities in First Time Higher

Education Ranking For Middle East

Electric car Charging Station Launched in Dubai

UAE hopes to counter extremist threat through ideas

initiatives