UAE: 2003 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 ABU DHABI 003164

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA
STATE PASS TO USTR AND OPIC
USDOC FOR 4520/ITA/MAC/ONE/GUGLIELMI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ECON KSPR KTBD KPRP OPIC TC
SUBJECT: UAE: 2003 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT

REF: STATE 128494

UAE: INVESTMENT CLIMATE
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13.a.1. Openness To Foreign Investment
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Investment laws and regulations are evolving in the UAE and are
expected to become more conducive to foreign investment. At
present, the regulatory and legal framework favors local over
foreign investors. There is no national treatment for investors
in the UAE, and foreign ownership of land and stocks is
restricted. The Emirate of Dubai announced in 2002, however,
that it would permit so-called "free hold" real estate ownership
by non-GCC nationals within certain properties, though the exact
legal status is still uncertain. Because investment regulations
vary from emirate to emirate, it is recommended that potential
investors consult a local attorney to obtain the most current
investment information at an early stage of planning.

The UAEG is opening up its trade sectors in line with the UAE's
WTO obligations, and is drafting a landmark law on foreign direct
investment that should be approved later this year. The law
reportedly will include new tax exemptions and other incentives.
The UAEG already has taken steps to cut red tape for foreign
investors, and now exempts investors from obtaining a Ministry of
Labor card in addition to an Immigration Department visa.
Investors no longer need to appear in person to inquire about the
status of business applications in Abu Dhabi. A new automated
service, offered in Arabic and English, allows investors to
receive information about their business licenses over the phone.

There have been no significant investment disputes during the
past few years involving U.S. or other foreign investors. Claims
resolution has not generally been a problem, although foreign
companies tend not to press claims.

Regulation of the establishment and conduct of business in the
UAE is shared at the federal and emirate levels. In general,
foreign companies (except companies from GCC countries) that
undertake business activities in the UAE or make their products
available in the UAE have entered into a joint venture with UAE
nationals for the establishment of limited liability companies,
appointed commercial agents, or set up branch offices. Except
for companies located in the free zones, at least 51 percent of a
business establishment must be owned by a UAE national. A
business engaged in importing and distributing a product must be
either a 100 percent UAE owned agency/distributorship or a 51/49
percent (UAE/foreign) limited liability company. Subsidies for
manufacturing firms are available only to those companies with at
least 51 percent local ownership.

OIL WILL CONTINUE TO BE A MAJOR SECTOR FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN

2003. UAE OIL PRODUCTION CAPACITY CURRENTLY IS AROUND 2.5
MILLION BARRELS PER DAY (MB/D). IT SHOULD RISE TO 2.8 AND 3.0
MB/D BY 2005 AND 2010, RESPECTIVELY. ABU DHABI COMPANY FOR
ONSHORE OPERATIONS (ADCO) PLANS TO LIFT PRODUCTION TO 1.45 MB/D,
ABU DHABI MARINE OPERATING COMPANY (ADMA-OPCO) TO 600,000 B/D AND
ZAKUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (ZADCO) TO 600,000 B/D DURING THE NEXT
THREE TO FIVE YEARS. AS PART OF THE EFFORT TO CONTINUE TO
IMPROVE OUTPUT AND SEEK FOREIGN TECHNOLOGICAL AND MANAGERIAL
EXPERTISE, THE STATE-RUN ABU DHABI NATIONAL OIL COMPANY (ADNOC)
TENDERED THE PRIVATIZATION OF A 28 PERCENT STAKE IN THE OFFSHORE
ZAKUM OILFIELD IN APRIL 2002. EXXONMOBIL, CHEVRONTEXACO, SHELL,
BP AND TOTALFINAELF ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS CONTEST, WITH AN
OUTCOME EXPECTED IN 2003. IN 2002, THE UNITED STATES ENJOYED A
45 PERCENT MARKET SHARE IN OIL AND GAS FIELD EQUIPMENT, SPARE
PARTS, AND SERVICES. NO REGULATORY/DEMAND ISSUES AFFECT THE
MARKET.

We are optimistic that opportunities for foreign investment in
the public utilities sector will increase as well. In March 1998
the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) awarded a
contract for the UAE's first independent water and power project
(IWPP),with an estimated value of USD $750 million, to an
American firm. The firm was selected as part of an Anglo-
American consortium to manage the emirate's second IWPP in 2001.
The Abu Dhabi government has announced that power generation
(includes power and desalinated water production) and
transmission will be privatized, while power distribution will
remain under the control of Abu Dhabi authorities. The estimated
commercial value of planned power and water sector development
projects in Abu Dhabi is USD $10 billion.

Defense contractors with an eye for investment in the UAE must
negotiate directly with the UAE Offsets Group (UOG),and invest
an amount that will generate a profit equal to an agreed upon
portion of their contract in the UAE. UOG investment projects
generally must show the required profit after seven years. The
contractor may not own more than 49 percent of the project, and
UAE nationals must hold the remaining 51 percent. There are
currently more than 25 offset ventures; offset projects cover the
full spectrum of economic activity, including, inter alia,
advertising, fish farming, air conditioning, language centers,
shipbuilding, aircraft maintenance, leasing, medical services,
and even polo grounds. Two of the largest offset ventures are an
international gas pipeline project (Dolphin) and the Oasis
International leasing company -- a British Aerospace offsets
venture.

There is no income tax in the UAE. Foreign banks pay 20 percent
tax on their profits. Foreign oil companies with equity in
concessions pay taxes and royalties on their proceeds. There are
no consumption taxes, and the GCC states formally implemented a
single import tariff of 5 percent on most goods January 1, 2003.

13.a.2. Conversion And Transfer Policies
--------------

There are no restrictions or delays on the import or export of
either the UAE Dirham or foreign currencies by foreigners or UAE
nationals, with the exception of Israeli currency and the
currencies of those countries subject to United Nations
sanctions. The UAEG passed comprehensive anti-money laundering
legislation following the attacks of September 11, 2001, that
imposes strict documentary requirements on large wire transfers.
Travelers entering or leaving the UAE must now declare currency
amounts of more than 50,000 dirhams (approximately USD $13,700)
as part of these new measures.

Since November 1980, the Dirham, though formally pegged to the
IMF's Special Drawing Rights (SDR) at the rate of 4.76190
Dirhams/SDR (with a margin of fluctuation set initially at 2.25
percent and widened in August 1987 to 7.25 percent) has remained
fixed against the U.S. Dollar. The exchange rate is 3.67 UAE
Dirhams per one U.S. Dollar.

13.a.3. Expropriation And Compensation
--------------

Foreign investors have not been involved in any expropriations in
the UAE in recent years. There are no set rules governing
compensation if expropriations were to occur, and individual
emirates probably would treat this differently. In practice,
authorities in the UAE would not expropriate unless there was a
compelling developmental or public interest need to do so, and in
such cases compensation would be generous.

13.a.4. Dispute Settlement
--------------

There have been no significant investment disputes during the
past few years involving U.S. or other foreign investors, but
there have been several contractor disputes, with the government
as well as local businesses. Disputes generally are resolved by
arbitration, by the parties themselves, or by recourse to the
legal system. Dispute resolution can be difficult and uncertain,
however. Arbitration may commence by petition to the federal
courts on the basis of mutual consent, a written arbitration
agreement, independently or by nomination of arbitrators, or
through a referral to an appointing authority without recourse to
judicial proceedings. Enforcing arbitration judgments can be
difficult as they require court certification, and judicial
proceedings may continue for several years.

The UAE constitution established a federal court system while
acknowledging the right of the individual emirates to maintain a
court system of their own. Accordingly, each emirate applies
federal law in its own court system that consists of courts of
first instance, courts of appeal and a Supreme Court. The court
of first instance consists of civil, criminal, and sharia
(Islamic law) courts. Sharia law is only applicable to Muslims
and relates to family matters mentioned in the Koran. Courts
will interpret statutory law and legal precedent in deciding
cases. Commercial disputes involving foreign parties tend to
come before the civil courts in the federal system; a panel of
three judges ordinarily hears commercial disputes. All cases
involving banks and financial institutions are required to be
heard by civil courts. In Abu Dhabi, all non-arbitration
commercial disputes are first brought to the Abu Dhabi
Conciliation Department. If the parties are unable to reach a
settlement, they can begin legal proceedings in the court of
first instance.

The UAE federal Supreme Court has held that a foreign arbitration
clause in a registered commercial agency agreement is
unenforceable because the Commercial Agency Law of 1981 states
that UAE courts have jurisdiction over commercial agency
disputes. According to an analysis by Western-trained attorneys
of the UAE code of civil procedure, however, UAE courts will
recognize a decision by both parties to refer a dispute to
arbitration. No party in a dispute can file a court claim if
such party already has agreed to refer the claim to arbitration.
The parties can move to arbitration at any stage during
litigation. The civil procedure code details rules governing the
qualification of arbitrators and many other aspects of the
arbitration process. The venue of arbitration is required to be
within the UAE, and if not, the resultant award is treated like a
foreign judgment.

The code contains comprehensive rules in connection with the
various types of preventive and provisional remedies prior to
litigation and the issuance of judgments, including the
attachment of property, confiscation of the defendant's passport
and prohibitions on travel, as well as the detention of the
defendant in certain instances. However, the courts must certify
all arbitration decisions, and though they do not review
substantive claims, they can invalidate decisions based on
procedural considerations. Parties can also appeal certification
decisions thus prolonging enforcement indefinitely.

In 1993 the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry formed the
Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Center in an
effort to accelerate commercial dispute resolution. The Center
has jurisdiction to conciliate or arbitrate commercial disputes.
Currently, the Center has 135 open cases and accepts roughly 30-
40 new cases each year. The Center's executive regulations
govern the conciliation and arbitration procedure. Though
referral by the parties to the Dispute Center ostensibly requires
them to accept the finality of the Center's decision, the courts
must still certify the decision and enforcement can be delayed.
The Center conducts proceedings in Arabic or any other agreed
upon language.

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has promulgated
similar commercial conciliation and arbitration rules that permit
parties to have conciliation or arbitration proceedings under the
auspices of the Chamber.

The UAE is a member of the International Center for the
Settlement of Investment Disputes. In May 2003, the UAE Cabinet
approved entry into the New York Convention of 1958 on the
Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. The UAEG
is likely to implement the legislation enacting the Convention by
the end of the year.

13.a.5. Performance Requirements/Incentives
--------------

As listed elsewhere in this report, the regulatory and legal
framework in the UAE favors local over foreign investors. There
is no national treatment for investors in the UAE. The UAE
maintains non-tariff barriers to investment in the form of
restrictive agency, sponsorship, and distributorship
requirements. In order to do business in the UAE outside one of
the free zones, a foreign business in most cases must have a UAE
national sponsor, agent or distributor. Once chosen, sponsors,
agents, or distributors have exclusive rights. They cannot be
replaced without their agreement. Government tendering is not
conducted according to generally accepted international
standards, and re-tendering is the norm. To bid on federal
projects, a supplier or contractor must be either a UAE national
or a company in which UAE nationals own at least 51 percent of
the capital. Federal tenders must be accompanied by a bid bond
in the form of an unconditional bank guarantee for 5 percent of
the value of the bid.

Incentives are given to foreign investors in the free zones.
Outside the free zones, no incentives are given, although the
ability to purchase property as freehold in certain favored
projects in Dubai -- and promises that foreign owners of such
property would be granted residence permits as long as they
remained in possession of title -- would appear to be incentives
aimed at attracting foreign investment.

Visas, residence permits, and work permits are required of all
foreigners in the UAE except nationals from GCC countries.
Americans are eligible to receive 10-year, multiple entry visas,
which authorize stay up to six months per entry, with the
possibility of a six-month extension. U.S. citizens may obtain
visas for business and tourism at the airport upon arrival.
These visas do not permit employment in the UAE.

13.a.6. Right To Private Ownership And Establishment
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Except as detailed elsewhere in this report, there are no
restrictions on the right of private entities to establish and
own business enterprises and engage in all forms of remunerative
activity.
13.a.7. Protection Of Property Rights
--------------

The concept of a mortgage has just been introduced -- but only
for select Dubai-based five-star property developments.
Mortgages are generally unavailable beyond these limited
exceptions. Title to all land in Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate,
resides in the ruler. Most construction, commercial and
residential, is financed by a specialized agency of the
government of Abu Dhabi, and commercial banks finance the
remainder. Their collateral traditionally has been access to the
rent stream of the building or the personal guarantee of the
developer.

AS PART AND PARCEL OF ITS DEVELOPMENT INTO A REGIONAL TRADING
CENTER, THE UAEG HAS MADE THE PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
A PRIORITY IN RECENT YEARS. NEW COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK AND PATENT
LAWS, PASSED IN 2002, PROVIDE HIGH LEVELS OF PROTECTION FOR U.S.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, WHILE AN AGREEMENT -- BROKERED BY THE
EMBASSY IN 2002 -- CONTINUES TO PROVIDE TRIPS-PLUS LEVELS OF
PROTECTION FOR U.S. PHARMACEUTICALS.

The UAEG repealed previous copyright, trademark, and patent laws
and issued improved legislation in 2002 in harmony with
international standards and exceeding the UAE's TRIPs
obligations. The new copyright law, enacted in July 2002, is the
product of a prolonged dialog between the UAEG and international
organizations such as WIPO and the WTO. It grants protections to
authors of creative works and expands the categories of protected
works, to include computer programs, software, databases, and
other digital works. Efforts to combat computer software piracy
in the UAE have been successful. According to 2001 industry
estimates, the rate of software piracy in the UAE is the lowest
in the Middle East. The UAE is recognized as the regional leader
in fighting computer software piracy.

THE UAE'S NEW TRADEMARK LAW, ALSO ISSUED IN JULY 2002, CONFIRMS
THAT THE UAE WILL FOLLOW THE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
AND THAT ONE TRADEMARK CAN BE REGISTERED IN A NUMBER OF CLASSES.
THE NEW LAW PROVIDES THAT THE OWNER OF THE REGISTRATION SHALL
ENJOY EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO THE USE OF THE TRADEMARK AS REGISTERED
AND CAN PREVENT OTHERS FROM USING AN IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR MARK ON
SIMILAR, IDENTICAL OR RELATED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IF IT CAUSES
CONFUSION AMONG CONSUMERS.

THE UAEG PUBLISHED THE OFFICIAL AND FINAL VERSION IN NOVEMBER
2002 OF THE LONG-AWAITED PATENT LAW. SPECIFICALLY, THE PATENT
LAW PROVIDES FOR -- IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UAE'S TRIPS
OBLIGATIONS -- NATIONAL TREATMENT FOR IP OWNERS IN OTHER WTO
MEMBER STATES, BOTH PRODUCT AND PROCESS PATENT PROTECTION, AND
ENFORCEMENT OF IPR WHEREBY CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURES AND
REMEDIES MAY BE EMPLOYED.

In March 2002, the UAE Ministries of Health and Finance and
Industry conveyed in writing their acceptance of PhRMA's best and
final offer under which 25 U.S. patent-protected, innovative
products would be afforded 5-year data exclusivity protection.
Under the terms of the agreement which PhRMA and the UAEG
accepted, all other U.S.-patented drugs, whether pending
registration or not, will be given data exclusivity protection in
the UAE market equal to the patent term -- a commitment which is
consistent with the UAE's TRIPs obligations.

13.a.8. Transparency Of The Regulatory System
-------------- --

The fundamental instrument by which all of the emirates regulate
business activity is the requirement that any place of business
must acquire and maintain a proper license. The procedures for
obtaining a license vary from emirate to emirate, but are
straightforward and publicly available.

A license is not required unless a place of business is set up in
the UAE. In other words, foreign businesses exporting to the UAE
but without a regular or continuing business presence in the UAE
do not need a license. Licenses available include trade licenses,
industrial licenses, service licenses, professional licenses, and
construction licenses.

Several federal regulations govern business activities in the UAE
outside free trade zones. Activities within the free zones are
governed by special bylaws.

The Federal Companies Law applies to all commercial companies
established in the UAE and to branch offices of foreign companies
operating in the UAE. The following provisions are of particular
importance to foreign investors:

A. Companies established in the UAE are required to have a
minimum of 51 percent UAE national ownership. However, profits
may be apportioned differently.


B. Branch offices of foreign companies are required to have a
national agent unless the foreign company has established its
office pursuant to an agreement with the federal or an emirate
government.


C. All general partnership interest must be owned by UAE
nationals.


D. Foreign shareholders may hold up to a 49 percent interest in
limited liability companies.

The Commercial Agencies Law requires that foreign principals
distribute their products in the UAE only through exclusive
commercial agents that are either UAE nationals or companies
wholly owned by UAE nationals. The foreign principal can appoint
one agent for the entire UAE or for a particular emirate or group
of emirates. The law provides that an agent may be terminated
only by mutual agreement of the foreign principal and the local
agent, notwithstanding the expiration of the term of the agency
agreement.

The Federal Industry Law stipulates that industrial projects must
have 51 percent UAE national ownership. The law also requires
that projects either be managed by a UAE national or have a board
of directors with a majority of UAE nationals. Exemptions from
the law are provided for projects relating to extraction and
refining of oil, natural gas, and other raw materials.
Additionally, projects with a small capital investment or special
projects governed by special laws or agreements are exempt from
the industry law.

The Government Tenders Law stipulates that a supplier,
contractor, or tenderer with respect to federal projects must
either be a UAE national or a company in which UAE nationals own
at least 51 percent of the share capital. Foreign companies
wishing to bid for a federal project must, therefore, enter into
a joint venture or agency arrangement with a UAE national or
company. Federal tenders must accompany a bid bond in the form
of an unconditional bank guarantee for 5 percent of the value of
the bid.

13.a.9. Efficient Capital Markets And Portfolio Investment
-------------- --------------

The UAE federal commercial code, promulgated in 1993, devotes an
entire chapter to bankruptcy -- the first comprehensive
legislation in the UAE on the subject. Monetary judgments in
bankruptcy cases are made in the local currency, and UAE courts
enforce the judgments of foreign courts if there is reciprocity
based on bilateral or international treaties. In the judgment of
Western legal experts, the commercial code chapter on bankruptcy
governs the procedures and effects of bankruptcy in the UAE, but
does not provide a mechanism for the orderly evaluation and
distribution of assets of a bankrupt entity.

Credit is allocated on market terms. There are 21 UAE-owned
banks with 344 branches in the UAE and abroad, 26 foreign banks
with 109 branches, one restricted license bank, two investment
banks, and 49 representative offices. The Central Bank no longer
issues licenses for new foreign banks to establish branches in
the UAE. Citibank is the only U.S. bank in the UAE that offers
full banking services. Bank of America has a representative
office in Dubai, while Bank of New York has one in Abu Dhabi.
The largest banks in terms of assets include the National Bank of
Abu Dhabi, National Bank of Dubai, Emirates Bank International,
Mashreqbank, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

The Central Bank prohibits lending an amount greater than 7
percent of a bank's capital base to any single customer. Foreign
banks with branches in the UAE are not permitted to calculate
loans as a percentage of their global capital, which may however
be used to calculate the capital adequacy ratio. In a revision
to the rule, the Central Bank in 1993 said it would exclude from
the requirement non-funded exposures, such as letters of credit
and guarantees. The Central Bank also announced implementation
of internationally recognized and accepted accounting principles.
THE UAEG IMPLEMENTED A BODY OF ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LEGISLATION
AT THE END OF 2001, WHICH INCLUDED STRINGENT REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRE TRANSFERS EXCEEDING USD $545 AND CURRENCY
IMPORTATION/EXPORTATION OF AMOUNTS EXCEEDING APPROXIMATELY USD
$13,700. THE LAW IMPOSES STIFF CRIMINAL PENALTIES (JAIL TIME AND
FINES) FOR MONEY LAUNDERING AND ALSO PROVIDES SAFE HARBOR
PROVISIONS FOR THOSE WHO REPORT SUCH CRIMES. BANKS AND OTHER
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW STRICT "KNOW YOUR
CUSTOMER" GUIDELINES; ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS MORE THAN USD
$54,000, REGARDLESS OF THEIR NATURE, MUST BE REPORTED TO THE UAE
CENTRAL BANK. BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUPERVISED
BY THE CENTRAL BANK (EXCHANGE HOUSES, INVESTMENT COMPANIES, AND
BROKERAGES) ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN RECORDS ON ALL TRANSACTIONS
FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

The UAE Central Bank established the Anti-Money Laundering and
Suspicious Cases Unit (AMLSCU) in 1998 to perform the functions
of a financial intelligence unit (FIU). The AMLSCU joined the
prestigious Egmont Group of FIUs -- the first Arab country to do
so -- at the Group's June 2002 conference in Monaco. This
membership was the basis of a number of Memoranda Of
Understanding the AMLSCU signed with other countries' FIUs in
2002 to facilitate information sharing and case processing. The
AMLSCU participated in seminars, consultative meetings, and
training with Washington-based agencies in 2002, including the
Department of Treasury's FinCEN. Banks, customs officials, and
other relevant personnel are required to file suspicious
transaction reports with the unit.

Local banks finance most non-oil investment in the UAE. Even so,
banks lack sufficient lending opportunities in the UAE, and
consequently place most of their funds in overseas markets. Most
of the manufacturing sector operates with higher levels of debt
than prescribed by the 60:40 debt-to-equity ratio -- generally
the norm for this sector. Some three-fourths of gross fixed
capital formation in manufacturing is directly or indirectly
financed by the banking system.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai each have a stock exchange, but only one
stock currently is open to foreign investors, and it is capped at
20 percent total foreign ownership. Limited participation by
foreigners in a few mutual funds is permitted.

13.a.10. Political Violence
--------------

There have been no instances in recent memory involving
politically motivated damage to projects, or insurgencies that
have impacted the investment environment.

13.a.11. Corruption
--------------

As in many other countries, corruption is a concern for U.S.
firms seeking to do business in the UAE. American firms are
bound by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act -- a copy of which may
be obtained from the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT CORRUPTION OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS IS A
SYSTEMIC PROBLEM; HOWEVER, THE FORMER HEAD OF DUBAI CUSTOMS AND
PORT AUTHORITY -- ALONG WITH FIVE OTHER CUSTOMS OFFICIALS -- WAS
TRIED, CONVICTED, AND SENTENCED IN APRIL 2001 TO 27 YEARS IN
PRISON ON CHARGES OF CORRUPTION AND EMBEZZLEMENT. HE WAS
PARDONED FOUR MONTHS LATER BY THE DUBAI GOVERNMENT AND RELEASED.

13.a.11.b. Bilateral Investment Agreements
--------------

The UAE has bilateral investment agreements with a number of
countries, including the United Kingdom. There is no bilateral
investment treaty with the United States. While the UAE has
expressed general interest in discussing a bilateral investment
treaty with the United States, the lack of national treatment for
foreign investors has proven problematic, particularly with
regard to foreign ownership.

13.a.11.c. OPIC And Other Investment Insurance Programs
-------------- --------------

The UAE has been suspended from U.S. OPIC insurance programs
since 1995 because of the UAEG's lack of compliance with
internationally recognized worker rights standards --
particularly laborers' rights to association and collective
bargaining. The ILO reported in April 2003, however, that the
UAE had started projects to address these concerns, and this year
drafted a labor law in consultation with the ILO that permits the
creation of formal labor associations/unions.

Workers currently address grievances and negotiate disputes or
matters of interest with employers through formal and informal
mechanisms, including strikes -- even though the law does not
technically sanction them. The UAEG does allow workers to
associate freely for the advancement of common goals and
interests.

The UAEG prohibits strikes by those employed in the public sector
on the grounds of national security considerations. There is
continuous coverage in the local press, however, of private
sector employees striking in protest of non-payment of wages.
Throughout 2002 and 2003, Ministry of Labor officials
investigated and mediated such disputes -- often to the benefit
of the striking workers -- and negotiated quick settlements.

13.a.11.d. Labor
--------------

Population in the UAE is approaching 3.9 million, according to
2002 data estimates. More than 80 percent of residents are
foreigners, and approximately 98 percent of private sector
workers in the UAE are non-UAE nationals. Emiratization of the
UAE workforce remains a national objective, although mandated
hiring of nationals has been limited to only a few sectors, such
as banking.

The Right to Organize and Bargain Collectively

The law does not specifically grant -- but does not prohibit --
workers the right to engage in collective bargaining. It does,
however, expressly authorize collective work dispute resolution.
There were a number of organized gatherings of workers that
complained of unpaid wages before the Ministry of Labor and
Social Affairs in 2002. Professional associations may raise work-
related concerns, to lobby the UAEG for redress, or to file a
grievance with the Government. For the resolution of work-
related disputes, workers rely on conciliation committees
organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs or on
special labor courts.

Labor laws do not cover, and therefore do not protect, government
employees, domestic servants, and agricultural workers. The
latter two groups face considerable difficulty in negotiating
employment contracts because the mandatory requirements contained
in the labor law do not apply. They also face considerable
difficulty in obtaining assistance to resolve disputes with their
employers. UAE employers generally tie an employee's residency
or visa to his employment and sponsorship. If the employee
terminates his employment and is unable to secure new employment
and a new sponsor, the employee loses residency and could be
required to leave the country.

Businesses in free trade zones must comply with federal labor
laws; however, the Ministry of Labor does not regulate them.
Instead, each free trade zone maintains its own labor department
to address workers' concerns.

Prohibition of Forced or Bonded Labor

Forced or bonded labor is illegal in the UAE. However, some
employment agents bring foreign workers to the country under
conditions approaching indenture. Some women reportedly are
brought to the country for service sector employment and later
forced into prostitution. The Government prohibits forced and
bonded child labor and generally enforces this prohibition
effectively. In particular, the UAEG has taken concrete steps to
resolve the problems of child camel jockeys.

Status of Child Labor Practices and Minimum Age for Employment

The labor law prohibits employment of persons under the age of 15
and has special provisions for employing those 15 to 18 years of
age. The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is
responsible for enforcing the regulations. Other regulations
permit employers to employ only adult foreign workers. The UAEG
does not issue work permits for foreign workers under the age of
18 years.

In September 2002, the UAEG began implementing a child camel
jockey ban with criminal penalties for violators up to and
including imprisonment. The ban prohibits the use of camel
jockeys less than 15 years of age.

Acceptable Conditions of Work

There are a considerable number of skilled foreign nationals in
the country who are employed under favorable working conditions.
However, the country is also a destination for a large number of
unskilled workers, including more than 200,000 domestic servants,
most of them women from South and East Asia, and an even larger
number of unskilled male workers, mostly from South Asia. These
unskilled laborers actively compete for jobs in the UAE, and some
are subject to poor working conditions.

The standard workday is eight hours per day; the standard
workweek is six days per week; however, these standards are not
enforced strictly. Certain types of workers, notably domestic
servants, are required to work longer than the mandated standard.
The law also provides for a minimum of 24 days per year of annual
leave plus 10 national and religious holidays. There is no
legislated or administrative minimum wage; rather, supply and
demand determine compensation. Compensation packages generally
provide housing or housing allowances. In addition, other
benefits, such as homeward passage or health cards for minimal to
no-cost health care, are often provided to employees by their
employers. The Labor and Social Affairs Ministry reviews labor
contracts and does not approve any contract that stipulates a
clearly unacceptable wage.
The Ministries of Health and of Labor and Social Affairs,
municipalities, and civil defense enforce health and safety
standards, and the Government requires every large industrial
concern to employ a certified occupational safety officer.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no law in the country that
prohibits labor outdoors when the temperature exceeds 50 degrees
Celsius. The law does require, however, that employers provide
employees with a safe work environment.

13.a.11.e. Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports
--------------

The UAE Free Zones today are home to approximately 5,000
companies with a total investment estimated at more than USD $4
billion. Presently, 13 free trade zones operate in the UAE, and
more are in the developmental stage. Overall, these free zones
form a vital component of the local economy, and serve as major
re-export centers to the Gulf region.

Since UAE tariffs are low and not levied against many imports,
the chief attraction of the free zones is the waiver of the
requirement for majority local ownership. In the free zones,
foreigners may own up to 100 percent of the equity in an
enterprise. All free zones provide 100 percent import and export
tax exemption, 100 percent exemption from commercial levies, 100
percent repatriation of capital and profits, multi-year leases,
easy access to sea and airports, buildings for lease, energy
connections (often at subsidized prices),and assistance in labor
recruitment. In addition, the free zone authorities provide
significant support services, such as sponsorship, worker
housing, dining facilities, recruitment, and security for a fee.

By far the largest and most successful of the free zones is the
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) in Dubai, located 20 kilometers south
of Dubai city adjacent to the Jebel Ali Port. Over 2,200
companies representing 80 countries have set up shop in the JAFZ,
including numerous Fortune 500 firms.

The JAFZ managing authority authorizes three types of licenses --
a general license, a specific license, and a national industrial
license. The licenses are valid while a company holds a current
lease from the free zone authority and are renewable annually as
long as the lease is in force. The special license is issued to
companies incorporated, or otherwise legally established, within
the free zone or outside the UAE. In such cases, no other
license is required, and the ownership of the company may be 100
percent foreign. The license is issued for any activity
permitted by the free zone authority, including manufacturing. A
company with a special license can operate only in the JAFZ or
outside the UAE, but business can be undertaken and sales made in
the UAE through or to a company holding a valid Dubai Economic
Department license. A company with a special license, however,
can itself purchase goods or services from within the UAE.

A variety of innovative free zones in Dubai have been established
since 2000, most notably the TECOM (Technology, Electronic
Commerce and Media) free zone. TECOM houses both Internet City
and Media City, two subdivisions which cater, respectively, to
the IT and media sectors. TECOM offers a high bandwidth, state-
of-the-art IT infrastructure. Current tenants of TECOM include
prominent names such as Oracle, Reuters, CNN, Hewlett Packard and
Microsoft. Other Dubai free zones planned include Health Care
City, specializing in medical products and services, and the
Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology Park, which aims to promote
scientific research and development, and to transfer technology
throughout the region.

13.a.11.f. Foreign Direct Investment Statistics
-------------- ---

The UAE Ministry of Planning reported that FDI inflows reached
USD $16.4 billion in 2002. Principal foreign investors to the
UAE were from the United Kingdom, the United States, France,
India, Japan, and Germany.
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry notes that the
leading sectors for investment in the UAE in 2002 were (in order
of magnitude of investment): oil and gas-field machinery and
services, power and water, computer/peripherals, medical
equipment and supplies, airport development and ground equipment,
telecommunications, and franchising.

There are no restrictions or incentives with regard to the export
of capital and outward direct investment, and UAE investment
abroad is significant. It is conservatively estimated that the
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) manages an approximate USD
$150 billion in government assets in overseas markets -- mostly
in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
reports that net FDI flow for the UAE was $200 million during
2000, and net negative flow of $156 million in 2001. Official
UAE statistics on FDI flows are not available.

Wahba