World Travel Guide

Home -  City Guide  - Dubai  - Business
Business

Business Profile:
Business Profile

Contrary to popular opinion, oil is no longer the only large industry in Dubai. Indeed, the revenue that comes directly from oil production has slipped to around 20% of economic production. Today, the main industries are international trade, manufacturing, finance and other service industries. Traditional small-scale industries, like fishing, boat building, handicrafts and pearling, now only make up a fraction of economic activity. Dubai's main exports are crude oil, natural gas, re-exports, dried fish and dates. Dubai has been very successful in bringing in both foreign investment and international companies, with initiatives like the setting up of the 'offshore' Jebel Ali Free Zone in 1985 reaping major rewards. Increasingly, Dubai has also focused on tourism, with visitor numbers rising markedly over the last decade. Unemployment is at zero in the city of Dubai and elsewhere in the Emirate as only those with guaranteed jobs are allowed to live in Dubai. The main business district in Dubai is around the World Trade Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, which is still heavily used, together with the other gleaming skyscrapers that are now springing up in the city centre. The brand new Emirates Twin Towers, which opened in June 2000 as the tallest building in the Middle East, looks set to become the most important business skyscraper in the city. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce is often very helpful for foreign businesspeople (tel: (04) 228 0000). Multinational companies and international organisations based in Dubai include Sony, Heinz, AT&T, Shell, IBM and General Motors. Etisalat is the only provider of Internet services within Dubai, exercising heavy control, with all sites accessed and monitored through the company's proxy server. Most five-star hotels offer guests internet access, which is also available at the Internet CafÉ, Dune Centre, Al-Satwa (tel: (04) 345 3390) and at Plug-ins Internet CafÉ (tel: (04) 295 0404). There is also internet access available at the British Council Library, Tariq ibn Ziyad Road.

Business Etiquette

There are certain conventions that it is a major faux pas to break when doing business in Dubai. Smart conservative clothing is expected despite the often soaring heat. Meetings may start late, since this is not frowned upon in Dubai and it should not be commented on. The Arabic handshake involves touching the heart with the palm of the right hand after each shake, although visitors should note that when greeting Arab women they should not offer their hand unless the woman extends hers first. The terms 'Sayed' (Mr) or 'Sayeda' (Mrs), followed by the first name, should be used in greeting to ensure politeness . It is also very important for visitors never to sit in such a way that their feet are pointing directly at someone else. Causing someone else to loose face, whether a client or a colleague, is considered extremely offensive and any criticism or corrections should be kept for private discussions afterwards. Meetings tend to start with plenty of preliminary chatting before moving on to the serious work, so it is essential not to rush in. Business meetings in Dubai are often seemingly casual affairs, in cafÉs or restaurants, but it is easy to be caught off guard, as the pace tends to quicken rapidly and deals are struck in a fraction of the time it can take in Western Europe. Friday is considered a day of prayer and rest, so meetings should not be scheduled for Fridays, and calls to Arab people should be avoided on this day. Similarly, local people won't answer the telephone during siestas, which are usually taken between 1400 and 1700. Business hours are Saturday to Thursday 0800-1300 and 1600-2000. Businesses run by Western staff may open Sunday to Thursday 0800-1700.






Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
GENERAL
City Overview
City Statistics
Cost of Living
 
GETTING THERE
Air
Water
Road
Rail
 
GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
BUSINESS
Business
 
SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
Key Attractions
Further Distractions
Tours of the City
Excursions
 
ENTERTAINMENT
Nightlife
Sport
Shopping
Culture
Special Events