Page 6 - Sept Oct Issue
P. 6
Overview of the United Arab Emirates
Disputes have existed between the UAE and Iran Islam, or UAE citizens is ined up to 1,000,000 Emirati
over the ownership rights to three UAE-based Dirhams (AED). The maximum ine is equivalent to
islands. These disputes date back to 2003 when about $270,000 USD. Imprisonment is also possible, but
Oman and the UAE signed and ratiied boundary rarely enforced, as the industry practices self-censorship.
agreements for the entire border. Failing to publish Censorship has also been exercised by the UAE
the agreement and detailed maps of alignment government. Censoring media on UAE’s prison affairs,
gave Iran the opportunity to dispute the Tunb and democratization efforts, and criticism of the ruling family
Abu Musa Islands. In October 2009, Iran signed is seen as repressive to the rights of UAE citizens.
a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a
joint commission between itself and the UAE. For instance, the UAE does not participate in a
Furthermore, the UAE has concern over Iran’s bankruptcy process as in many Western nations. Debtors
nuclear program. Once long-time tensions between unable to meet such obligations are sent to a debtor’s
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have also abated. The prison and this has been an increasingly occurring
biggest threat to the UAE is an internal regime affair since the start of the global inancial crisis. Many
failure, which would collapse the GCC military. questions have been raised about the ethical nature of
this practice, as well as the level of humane treatment at
The UAE’s foreign aid policy is based on the Islamic such facilities.
philosophy of extending a helping hand for the needy
to fulill a duty of all Muslims. Wealth from oil and Property rights in the UAE are about forty percent below
gas provides the UAE with the means of helping less the global average, according to the Heritage Foundation,
fortunate countries. Organizations such as the UAE due to the considerable inluence the ruling families
Red Crescent, which provides emergency relief, play exercise on the judiciary. Corruption and incompetence
an important role in such efforts. in the system is rarely challenged. All land in Abu Dhabi
is government-owned. Foreigners may obtain mortgages
Relations with the USA have been well-maintained in Dubai. The UAE leads the region in the protection of
and uniied with the goal of maintaining a strong intellectual property rights.
alliance with security and economic interests,
including stability in the Middle East and the reliable The population of the UAE is expected to grow from
supply of energy to global markets. The UAE is 4.76 million in 2008 to 5.06 million in 2009, a 6.31
the largest importer in the Arab World of US goods percent annual growth rate. The UAE is extremely reliant
at $144 billion (USD) in 2008. Over 750 US irms on expatriates in its workforce. As of 2007, there were
have a presence in the UAE, including Bechtel, an estimated 3.62 million non-UAE nationals versus
ExxonMobil, Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery. 864,000 UAE-born nationals. Most labor issues concern
(The World Factbook 2009, 15) Following the expatriates, especially among the unskilled segment.
global recession, the UAE has tried to insulate the Addressing these issues is an ongoing development.
local economy while working with multilateral
institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund In the same year there were an estimated 3.08 million
(IMF) and on a bilateral basis to help countries most males and 1.4 million females. While Arabic is the
seriously impacted. oficial language, English is preferred in the international
business community of the UAE. Islam is the oficial
One setback for the UAE is the severe repression religion of the UAE, but all religions are tolerated.
of freedom of speech. There are controls restricting
the media from criticizing or questioning the actions UAE nationals are described as being tolerant, forward-
of policy. The UAE government pushed new media looking individuals who maintain a strong sense of
laws passed a irst legislative hurdle on January 20, tradition. There is a high standard of living that is shared
2009, which would restrict the freedom of press. Any by many, including a well-developed education system
journalist who criticizes the royal family or publishes and health services. There are over sixty public and
information that is damaging to the economy, private universities in the UAE.
6
Disputes have existed between the UAE and Iran Islam, or UAE citizens is ined up to 1,000,000 Emirati
over the ownership rights to three UAE-based Dirhams (AED). The maximum ine is equivalent to
islands. These disputes date back to 2003 when about $270,000 USD. Imprisonment is also possible, but
Oman and the UAE signed and ratiied boundary rarely enforced, as the industry practices self-censorship.
agreements for the entire border. Failing to publish Censorship has also been exercised by the UAE
the agreement and detailed maps of alignment government. Censoring media on UAE’s prison affairs,
gave Iran the opportunity to dispute the Tunb and democratization efforts, and criticism of the ruling family
Abu Musa Islands. In October 2009, Iran signed is seen as repressive to the rights of UAE citizens.
a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a
joint commission between itself and the UAE. For instance, the UAE does not participate in a
Furthermore, the UAE has concern over Iran’s bankruptcy process as in many Western nations. Debtors
nuclear program. Once long-time tensions between unable to meet such obligations are sent to a debtor’s
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have also abated. The prison and this has been an increasingly occurring
biggest threat to the UAE is an internal regime affair since the start of the global inancial crisis. Many
failure, which would collapse the GCC military. questions have been raised about the ethical nature of
this practice, as well as the level of humane treatment at
The UAE’s foreign aid policy is based on the Islamic such facilities.
philosophy of extending a helping hand for the needy
to fulill a duty of all Muslims. Wealth from oil and Property rights in the UAE are about forty percent below
gas provides the UAE with the means of helping less the global average, according to the Heritage Foundation,
fortunate countries. Organizations such as the UAE due to the considerable inluence the ruling families
Red Crescent, which provides emergency relief, play exercise on the judiciary. Corruption and incompetence
an important role in such efforts. in the system is rarely challenged. All land in Abu Dhabi
is government-owned. Foreigners may obtain mortgages
Relations with the USA have been well-maintained in Dubai. The UAE leads the region in the protection of
and uniied with the goal of maintaining a strong intellectual property rights.
alliance with security and economic interests,
including stability in the Middle East and the reliable The population of the UAE is expected to grow from
supply of energy to global markets. The UAE is 4.76 million in 2008 to 5.06 million in 2009, a 6.31
the largest importer in the Arab World of US goods percent annual growth rate. The UAE is extremely reliant
at $144 billion (USD) in 2008. Over 750 US irms on expatriates in its workforce. As of 2007, there were
have a presence in the UAE, including Bechtel, an estimated 3.62 million non-UAE nationals versus
ExxonMobil, Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery. 864,000 UAE-born nationals. Most labor issues concern
(The World Factbook 2009, 15) Following the expatriates, especially among the unskilled segment.
global recession, the UAE has tried to insulate the Addressing these issues is an ongoing development.
local economy while working with multilateral
institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund In the same year there were an estimated 3.08 million
(IMF) and on a bilateral basis to help countries most males and 1.4 million females. While Arabic is the
seriously impacted. oficial language, English is preferred in the international
business community of the UAE. Islam is the oficial
One setback for the UAE is the severe repression religion of the UAE, but all religions are tolerated.
of freedom of speech. There are controls restricting
the media from criticizing or questioning the actions UAE nationals are described as being tolerant, forward-
of policy. The UAE government pushed new media looking individuals who maintain a strong sense of
laws passed a irst legislative hurdle on January 20, tradition. There is a high standard of living that is shared
2009, which would restrict the freedom of press. Any by many, including a well-developed education system
journalist who criticizes the royal family or publishes and health services. There are over sixty public and
information that is damaging to the economy, private universities in the UAE.
6
