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An Air Services Agreement and a Visa Waiver Arrangement with the UAE took effect on 1 July 1999. A bilateral Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and an Arrangement on Trade and Economic Cooperation were signed with the UAE in September 2003. The inaugural Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) was held in Abu Dhabi in March 2006, co-chaired by the UAE’s Minister of Economy, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, and the NZ Minister of Trade Phil Goff.
In the trade year to June 2007 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranked as New Zealand’s 29th most significant bilateral partner, and is currently our second largest trading partner in the Middle East (after Saudi Arabia). Exports to the year ended June 2006 amounted to NZ$222.9 million. Over the same period, imports, which consisted mainly of crude oil, totalled $477.1 million. The UAE is New Zealand’s most diversified market in the Middle East. New Zealand exports to the UAE are made up of a wide range of products besides traditional meat and dairy exports. Merchandise exports include building materials, fruit, wine, refrigerators, machinery, underwear, timber and medical equipment. The supply of services, particularly in the fields of education, information and communications technology and building construction and management (for example in the “7-star” Jumeirah Beach Resort complex) greatly expand the diversity of the commercial relationship with the United Arab Emirate.
New Zealand companies are supplying a range of consultancy services to the UAE including postal services, education development, public sector management and English language training. Several New Zealand companies and consultancies have offices in Dubai.
The establishment of free trade zones in the UAE has allowed New Zealand information and communications technology companies, including those present in the newly established New Zealand Technology Oasis at Dubai Internet City, to demonstrate the positive contribution they can make to the UAE’s rapidly developing economy.
Land Area - 77,700 sq km
Population - 4 million
Capital City - Abu Dhabi
Religion - Islam
Official Language - Arabic
Political system - Federation of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain and Fujairah.
National government - Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister, all appointed by the Supreme Council of Rulers. Each state is represented by at least one Minister. The Council of Ministers initiates legislation for ratification by the Supreme Council of Rulers, which is formed by the hereditary rulers of the seven emirates, is also a policymaking body which meets formally about once a year.
National legislature - Unicameral Federal National Council of 40 appointed members representing the separate emirates. It has a consultative role only.
Head of State - President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi succeeded his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan, following the latter's death on 2 November 2004. The President is elected by the Supreme Council of Rulers.
Head of Government - Prime Minister, Vice President, Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Defence: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktou.
GDP - US $162.6 billion (2006 estimate)
Real GDP growth - 8.9% (2006 estimate)
Exports - US $132.9 billion (2006 estimate)
Imports - US $80 billion (2006 estimate)
Main exports - Re-exports (34.3%); crude oil (32.7%)
Current account - US $25.6 billion (2006 estimate)
Inflation - 13.5% (2006 estimate)
Total external debt - US $38.3 billion (2006 estimate)
NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$222.9 million (for the year to June 2007)
Main Exports - Milk powder (35.5%); logs (7.8%); butter (6.2%); cheese (5.2%)
NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$477.1 million (for the year to June 2007)
Main Imports - Crude oil (87.3%); glass containers (4.8%); polymers of ethylene (2.7%)
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to United Arab Emirates [external link].
