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UAE

UAE news and analysis, tenders, contracts awarded, commentary and economic data

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UAE_map_527x286px_a UAE+flag+ Sheikh+Khalifa+bin+Zayed+al-Nahyan
UAE
Leader
President Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan

Abu Dhabi
Dubai
Northern Emirates
UAE country datafile
Country overview
Government contacts

Country data

Iran 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011f 2012f 2013f
Nominal GDP ($bn) 257.9 314.5 259.7 283.9 342 361.9 374.9
GDP per capita ($) 57,468 65,992 51,270 54,411* 63,626 65,377 65,755
Real GDP growth (annual change, %) 6.6 5.3 -4.8 1.3 5.2 4 2.6
Government revenue (% of GDP) 33.8 39.1 26.8 30 35 36.1 35
Government total expenditure (% of GDP) 15.6 17.8 27.2 25.7 23.9 24.1 23.2
Total government debt (gross, % of GDP) 7.8 12.5 23.4 22.3 17.8 16.5 16.4
Current account balance (% of GDP) 6.9 7.9 3.5 3.2 9.7 9.3 10.1
Value of oil imports 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Value of oil exports 73.8 103 68.1 74.6 111.6 118.8 118.8
Inflation (%) 11.1 12.3 1.6 0.9 0.9 0.7 1.6
Click to see full economic data (2005 - 2017 forecast)
Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database; Last updated: March 2013

Doing business in...

A guide to doing business in the UAE

MEED’s guide to doing business in the UAE

An essential companion for anybody seeking to do business in or with the federation of the United Arab Emirates

UAE trends

Mena oil and gas contract awards 2011-2013

UAE driving Mena oil and gas spending Subscription

16 May 2013, 7:48 GMT | By

Spending in second quarter looks likely to outstrip first as major offshore deals are awarded

MSME lending in the Middle East and North Africa

Lending to small businesses in Mena Subscription

16 May 2013, 6:55 GMT | By

SME banking revenue in the Mena region is expected to grow by 18 per cent per year, reaching $15bn by 2015

UAE and Saudi labour costs

Labour costs decline in the UAE Subscription

13 May 2013, 13:18 GMT | By Cathal Gormley

Significant decline in cost of skilled and unskilled labour since January

Ten-year smoothed commodity price growth

Commodity super cycle on verge of downward trend Subscription

7 May 2013, 10:18 GMT | By

Analysts predicting 2013-14 could be the start of lower prices for commodities such as oil and gas

Ten-year smoothed commodity price growth

Commodity super cycle on verge of downward trend Subscription

7 May 2013, 10:18 GMT | By

Analysts predicting 2013-14 could be the start of lower prices for commodities such as oil and gas

Middle East contracts awarded April 2013

Middle East contracts awarded: April 2013 Subscription

5 May 2013, 7:41 GMT

Just over $12bn-worth of contracts were awarded in April

Change: The DIFC will face competition from financial centres in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh in the coming years

Fiscal competition heats up in the GCC Subscription

2 May 2013, 12:28 GMT | By

Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh could prove challengers to Dubai’s dominance as a regional financial hub

Change: The DIFC will face competition from financial centres in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh in the coming years

Fiscal competition heats up in the GCC Subscription

2 May 2013, 12:28 GMT | By

Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh could prove challengers to Dubai’s dominance as a regional financial hub

Jet Airways: Investment part of Etihad strategy

Inorganic growth pays dividends for Etihad Airways Subscription

2 May 2013, 9:45 GMT | By Jeff Florian

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad Airways is applying a hybrid business model of codeshare agreements and investment in overseas airlines to expand its global footprint

Interview: H.E. Sindiso Ngwenya, secretary-general, Comesa

2 May 2013, 9:15 GMT

H.E. Sindiso Ngwenya, secretary-general of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) discusses the organisation’s economic strategy

Interview: H.E. Sindiso Ngwenya, secretary-general, Comesa

2 May 2013, 9:15 GMT

H.E. Sindiso Ngwenya, secretary-general of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) discusses the organisation’s economic strategy

Interview: H.E. Sindiso Ngwenya, secretary-general, Comesa

2 May 2013, 9:15 GMT

H.E. Sindiso Ngwenya, secretary-general of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) discusses the organisation’s economic strategy

Interview: H.E. Hamad Buamin, director-general, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

2 May 2013, 9:04 GMT

Dubai Chamber director-general H.E. Hamad Buamin discusses the highlights of the Africa Global Business Forum

Interview: H.E. Hamad Buamin, director-general, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

2 May 2013, 9:04 GMT

Dubai Chamber director-general H.E. Hamad Buamin discusses the highlights of the Africa Global Business Forum

Interview: H.E. Hamad Buamin, director-general, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

2 May 2013, 9:04 GMT

Dubai Chamber director-general H.E. Hamad Buamin discusses the highlights of the Africa Global Business Forum

South Pars phase 12

Top 100 projects drops in value in first quarter Subscription

1 May 2013, 9:18 GMT | By

Value of projects in execution fell $10bn as $30bn-worth of contract awards are new to the top 100 table

South Pars phase 12

Top 100 projects drops in value in first quarter Subscription

1 May 2013, 9:18 GMT | By

Value of projects in execution fell $10bn as $30bn-worth of contract awards are new to the top 100 table

Filter UAE analysis by sector

MEED comment

Offshore

Offshore schemes get under way

16 May 2013, 13:59 GMT | By

Abu Dhabi plans to significantly boost its offshore oil production capacity over the next five years

Tourism: Theme parks are key to Dubai's plans

Dubai tries luck again with parks

16 May 2013, 13:24 GMT | By

As confidence returns to Dubai, it is planning theme parks for Jebel Ali and Mohammed bin Rashid City

Al-Maryah Island: Abu Dhabi's new financial centre

Dubai faces rising competition

2 May 2013, 12:29 GMT | By

Growth plans of regional financial centres threaten Dubai International Financial Centre’s hub status

Al-Maryah Island: Abu Dhabi's new financial centre

Dubai faces rising competition

2 May 2013, 12:29 GMT | By

Growth plans of regional financial centres threaten Dubai International Financial Centre’s hub status

Dubai: Rents have risen by up to 20 per cent

Focus must be on core sectors

2 May 2013, 12:19 GMT | By

Trade, transport, tourism, logistics and finance sectors crucial for Dubai to return to growth of pre-crash years

Dubai: Rents have risen by up to 20 per cent

Focus must be on core sectors

2 May 2013, 12:19 GMT | By

Trade, transport, tourism, logistics and finance sectors crucial for Dubai to return to growth of pre-crash years

Commodities: Dubai trade is on the increase

Dubai role as gold hub strengthens

25 April 2013, 15:27 GMT

Growing ties with Africa is helping to drive up commodities business volumes in the UAE

Commodities: Dubai trade is on the increase

Dubai role as gold hub strengthens

25 April 2013, 15:27 GMT

Growing ties with Africa is helping to drive up commodities business volumes in the UAE

Arabtec-Samsung: Plans to bid for giant energy jobs

Arabtec to bid for bigger jobs

25 April 2013, 14:21 GMT | By

The joint venture with Samsung Engineering will focus on winning large-scale lucrative contracts

Arabtec-Samsung: Plans to bid for giant energy jobs

Arabtec to bid for bigger jobs

25 April 2013, 14:21 GMT | By

The joint venture with Samsung Engineering will focus on winning large-scale lucrative contracts

Abu Dhabi: Saipem out of running for Abu Dhabi offshore oil deal

Abu Dhabi careful on low bidders

18 April 2013, 16:28 GMT

Saipem disqualified from an offshore oil deal in Abu Dhabi despite submitting the lowest price

Dubai: Extravagant schemes are making a comeback

Caution as UAE market recovers

18 April 2013, 16:21 GMT

While many positive indicators have emerged, the construction market still faces challenges

Dubai: Extravagant schemes are making a comeback

Caution as UAE market recovers

18 April 2013, 16:21 GMT

While many positive indicators have emerged, the construction market still faces challenges

More MEED commentary

Special Reports

Desert

Abu Dhabi set to bolster Western Region economy

22 May 2013, 12:35 GMT | By

Situated in Arabia’s Empty Quarter, Al-Gharbia is, by far, the UAE’s most sparsely-populated region

UAE

UAE: Economic recovery takes hold in Dubai Subscription

1 May 2013, 14:09 GMT

Dubai is back in business

Airport illustration

Focus: Dubai aviation

7 April 2013, 11:42 GMT

The 31 March 2013 is another important date in the history of Dubai’s aviation industry

Abu Dhabi

UAE: Abu Dhabi plans $90bn spending spree Subscription

20 February 2013, 12:36 GMT

The signs in Abu Dhabi are increasingly positive

Abu Dhabi

UAE: Abu Dhabi plans $90bn spending spree Subscription

20 February 2013, 12:36 GMT

The signs in Abu Dhabi are increasingly positive

Abu Dhabi

UAE: Abu Dhabi plans $90bn spending spree Subscription

20 February 2013, 12:36 GMT

The signs in Abu Dhabi are increasingly positive

More UAE special reports

Market presentations

Mena renewables 2013

Webinar: MENA Renewable Energy Subscription

12 May 2013, 12:38 GMT

In this presentation, MEED discusses the trends and prospects for renewable power in the region

After the Uprisings webinar

After the Uprisings: The outlook for business in the Middle East in 2013 and beyond Subscription

4 March 2013, 5:52 GMT

A webinar on the region’s business environment, providing current data and exclusive expert analysis drawn from MEED’s team of experts

Top 100 projects 2012

Top 100 projects: The Middle East market gains momentum Subscription

3 February 2013, 9:23 GMT

This webinar examines projects market trends in the region and forecasts which countries and sectors will grow in 2013

Wastewater

Webinar: Project opportunities in GCC wastewater Subscription

15 May 2012, 11:24 GMT

Join MEED for an exclusive online seminar looking at the Gulf wastewater sector

Barzan: The gas project raised $5.7bn

Rebuilding the Middle East: Prospects for the projects market 2012 Subscription

6 February 2012, 5:40 GMT

MEED’s webinar looks at expected growth in the Middle East and North Africa

Barzan: The gas project raised $5.7bn

Rebuilding the Middle East: Prospects for the projects market 2012 Subscription

6 February 2012, 5:40 GMT

MEED’s webinar looks at expected growth in the Middle East and North Africa

Arab uprising: Facebook gave power to protesters

The impact of the Arab uprisings on business growth Subscription

27 July 2011, 12:50 GMT

MEED’s webinar is a mid-year review that assesses the consequences of protests in the region on project plans

Arab uprising: Facebook gave power to protesters

The impact of the Arab uprisings on business growth Subscription

27 July 2011, 12:50 GMT

MEED’s webinar is a mid-year review that assesses the consequences of protests in the region on project plans

Implementing the region’s long-term rail plans Subscription

20 July 2011, 12:54 GMT

More than $250bn worth of rail projects are planned or under development in the Middle East; in this webinar, MEED presents an overview of the market and its growth

Construction

GCC Construction: The move from private to public infrastructure spending

7 June 2011, 6:50 GMT

MEED’s webinar on the major changes impacting the region’s construction sector

Construction

GCC Construction: The move from private to public infrastructure spending

7 June 2011, 6:50 GMT

MEED’s webinar on the major changes impacting the region’s construction sector

MEED's 2020 Vision: A presentation Subscription

27 January 2011, 9:23 GMT | By

An exclusive MEED presentation looking at the key trends that will shape the Middle East economy in the coming decade.

MEED's 2020 Vision: A presentation Subscription

27 January 2011, 9:23 GMT | By

An exclusive MEED presentation looking at the key trends that will shape the Middle East economy in the coming decade.

More MEED webinars

Project awards

NPCC wins first package on Umm al-Lulu field Subscription

19 May 2013, 11:18 GMT | By

UAE firm awarded estimated $800m deal on offshore Abu Dhabi field

Local contractor wins Nakheel villas construction deal Subscription

12 May 2013, 12:23 GMT | By

Contract involves building 90 villas at Jumeirah Village Circle

Petrojet selected for Yas-Mina Zayed gas pipeline Subscription

6 May 2013, 9:04 GMT | By

Egyptian contractor Petrojet to build 45-kilometre gas pipeline in the UAE

Petrojet selected for Yas-Mina Zayed gas pipeline Subscription

6 May 2013, 9:04 GMT | By

Egyptian contractor Petrojet to build 45-kilometre gas pipeline in the UAE

Habtoor Leighton awarded Satah al-Razboot infrastructure package Subscription

1 May 2013, 7:40 GMT | By

Contractor to build offices and utilities on artificial islands for Abu Dhabi offshore development

Habtoor Leighton awarded Satah al-Razboot infrastructure package Subscription

1 May 2013, 7:40 GMT | By

Contractor to build offices and utilities on artificial islands for Abu Dhabi offshore development

Shell selected for Abu Dhabi’s Bab sour gas project Subscription

30 April 2013, 13:39 GMT | By

UK/Dutch group to partner Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in new joint venture

Shell selected for Abu Dhabi’s Bab sour gas project Subscription

30 April 2013, 13:39 GMT | By

UK/Dutch group to partner Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in new joint venture

Hebah Group awarded contract to build Dubai perfume factory Subscription

30 April 2013, 9:34 GMT | By

UAE-based Rasasi to expand capacity with new plant in Dubai Industrial City

Hebah Group awarded contract to build Dubai perfume factory Subscription

30 April 2013, 9:34 GMT | By

UAE-based Rasasi to expand capacity with new plant in Dubai Industrial City

TUV Rheinland wins Dubai airport people-mover contract Subscription

29 April 2013, 13:47 GMT | By

German firm to provide safety assessment services

TUV Rheinland wins Dubai airport people-mover contract Subscription

29 April 2013, 13:47 GMT | By

German firm to provide safety assessment services

Petrofac awarded phase two Bab gas compression facilities Subscription

29 April 2013, 8:40 GMT | By

Contract is UK group’s third major award in Abu Dhabi oil and gas sector this year

Petrofac awarded phase two Bab gas compression facilities Subscription

29 April 2013, 8:40 GMT | By

Contract is UK group’s third major award in Abu Dhabi oil and gas sector this year

Emrill wins Etihad Airways contract Subscription

28 April 2013, 9:12 GMT | By

 Deal covers provision of facility management services

Petrofac-led consortium wins $3.7bn Upper Zakum deal Subscription

11 April 2013, 13:15 GMT | By

UK contractor to carry out Abu Dhabi offshore package with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering

Petrofac-led consortium wins $3.7bn Upper Zakum deal Subscription

11 April 2013, 13:15 GMT | By

UK contractor to carry out Abu Dhabi offshore package with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering

Projects index

Gulf projects index 14.05.13

Sharp drops lead to Gulf index decline Subscription

16 May 2013, 9:18 GMT

Kuwait only GCC state to record fall in value of projects sector

Gulf Projects Index

UAE and Iran push down Gulf index Subscription

9 May 2013, 9:48 GMT

Kuwait records biggest market growth after the launch of new transformer stations project

Gulf Projects Index

Iraq and Oman lift Gulf projects index Subscription

2 May 2013, 10:19 GMT

Baghdad projects market reaches a $500bn high registering a growth of 3.3 per cent

More Gulf Projects Index

Top 10 projects

Rank Project Name Sector Contract value ($m)
1 Baraka Nuclear Power Plant 3 Power 4,000
2 Ruwais Refinery Expansion Project: Process Package 2: RFCC Oil 3,109
3 Baraka Nuclear Power Plant 1 Power 3,100
4 National Housing Scheme Project Construction 2,950
5 Abu Dhabi Airport Expansion: Midfield Terminal Complex Transport 2,872
6 Ruwais Refinery Expansion Project: Package 3: Offsites & Utilities Oil 2,700
6 Baraka Nuclear Power Plant 2 Power 2,500
8 Ruwais Carbon Black and Delayed Coker Project Oil 2,470
9 Dubai Pearl: Towers Construction 2,400
10 SAS Oilfield Development Project: Asab Field Construction 2,300
Click through to the full data table on the UAE's biggest projects in construction
Click through to MEED's Q1 2013 Top 100 Projects report
Source: MEED Projects; Data compiled: April 2013; All projects are in execution

Companies

More UAE company profiles

People

Mohammed al-Hammadi Subscription

14 May 2013, 7:48 GMT

Mohammed al-Hammadi is chief executive officer, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation

Farouk Eltawila Subscription

13 May 2013, 13:38 GMT

Farouk Eltawila is chief scientist, FANR

Petri Tuominen Subscription

13 May 2013, 13:25 GMT

Petri Tuominen is chief financial officer, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation

Kenneth Petrunick Subscription

13 May 2013, 13:14 GMT

Kenneth Petrunick is chief programme officer, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation

Hwan-Eik Cho Subscription

13 May 2013, 13:10 GMT

Hwan-Eik Cho is president and CEO, Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco)

William Travers Subscription

13 May 2013, 12:56 GMT

Director general, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR)

More UAE biographies

Latest UAE news

Doha Bank to lend $1.5bn to UAE companies this year Subscription

21 May 2013, 14:13 GMT | By

Funds will mainly go towards construction, transport and real estate sectors

Filter UAE news by sector

Tenders

UAE: Road maintenance Subscription

22 May 2013, 19:11 GMT | By

Carrying out periodical maintenance of roads

Filter UAE tenders by sector

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Research reports

GCC Construction bundle

Pre-launch offer: GCC Project Market Report 2013

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MEED events

Al Gharbia Development Forum

Al Gharbia Development Forum

Gain an insight into the most lucrative investment opportunities in the Western Region of the Abu Dhabi Emirate

More MEED events