In this section, you will find a country brief with an economic overview and highlighted business opportunities, and market research in key areas of focus for New Zealand companies doing business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
United Arab Emirates country brief
The UAE consists of the seven emirates. Abu Dhabi is by far the largest and controls 90 per cent of all oil and natural gas reserves in the UAE.
The UAE federal government recognises that diversification of its economy plays a key role in maintaining growth. The UAE’s other main industrial activities include construction, aluminium, chemicals and plastics, metals and heavy equipment. Other key sectors, in particular in Dubai, are technology, education, tourism and financial services.
The latter part of 2008 saw a sudden and dramatic slow down in the construction sector.
New Zealand dairy exports to the UAE dominate trade statistics, in 2008 representing 40 percent of all exports to New Zealand’s second largest Middle East market. The relative importance of wood, meat, machinery and equipment and fruit (especially apples and kiwifruit) continues to grow.
