Country data A. Profile Population: With a 1994 estimate of 2.09 million, the population of the United Arab Emirates has been growing about 3.0% annually. Major ethnic groups include Arab, Pakistani, Indian, Iranian, and Filipino. Only about 15 percent of the population are nationals of the United Arab Emirates. Religion(s): The official religion is Islam, 90 percent of the population are Muslims. The authorities permit worship of other religions. There are Christian churches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Government: The government is a federation of the seven emirates headed by a president and a vice president (since its inception in 1971 the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively). The rulers of each of the emirates belong to the Supreme Council, which is the U.A.E.'s highest legal authority and promulgates federal laws. The Federal National Council, consisting of 40 nationals appointed by the rulers, acts as an advisory legislative body. The Council of Ministers, appointed by the Supreme Council, run the day to day affairs of the federation. Language(s): The official language is Arabic, but English is widely used in business. Hindi, Urdu, and Farsi (Persian) are also spoken. Work Week: The regular work week is from Saturday to midday Thursday. Most business offices are also open on Thursday afternoon. Working hours vary. Government offices and banks close for the day at 1:00 p.m., but commercial outlets re-open in the afternoon from about 4:30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. Note: The oil sector in Dubai works 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Many other Dubai companies are trending this way. The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi is open from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, the Consulate General in Dubai from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Saturday through Wednesday. Contacts: Abu Dhabi: Senior Commercial Officer - Charles Kestenbaum Tel: (971-2) 345545, Fax: (971-2) 331374 Dubai: Commercial Officer - Terry Sorgi Tel: (971-4) 313584, Fax: (971-4) 313121 Washington D.C.: U.A.E. Desk Officer: Claude Clement/Christopher Cerone Tel:(202)482-5545;Fax: (202) 482-0878;Flash Fax:(202) 482-1064 Regional Director: Ben Brown Assistant Regional Director: Shakir Farsakh Tel: (202) 482-4836, Fax: (202) 482-5179 2. Domestic Economy (USD millions, except as noted) 1993 1994(e) 1995(e) GDP (USD Billions) 35.865 na na GDP growth rate (percent) 1.15 na na GDP per capita (USD) 17217.07 na na Government spending (percent of GDP) 25.18 na na Inflation (percent) 3.4 na na Unemployment (negligible) Foreign Exchange Reserves 5452.9 na na Average Exchange Rate ($1.00 equals) 3.671 3.671 3.671 Foreign Debt (billions) na na na Debt Service Ratio na na na U.S. Econ/Military Assistance na na na 3. Trade (USD millions) 1993 1994(e) 1995(e) Total U.A.E. Exports 4,890.6 5,500 5,500 Total U.A.E. Imports 17,885.4 19,000 19,000 U.S. Exports to the U.A.E. 1,811.4 1,900 1,900 U.S. Imports from the U.A.E. 774.5 800 800 U.S. share of U.A.E. imports (percent) 10.1 10 10 Imports of manufactured goods (HS 28-40, 42, 46, 48-97 less 71) - Total (from world) 14,296 15,182 16,093 - From the U.S. 1,443.9 1,514.7 1,590 - U.S. share of manufactured imports (percent) 10.1 11 11 - Manufactured goods trade balance with the U.S. 1,247.9 1,300 1,355 - Projected average annual growth rate from world through 1996 (percent) 6.2 6 6 - Projected average annual growth rate from U.S. through 1996 (percent) 4.9 5 5 Imports of agricultural goods - Total (from world) 2,500 2,850 3,300 - From the U.S. 115 135 155 - U.S. share of agricultural imports (percent) 4.6 4.7 4.7 - Agricultural goods trade balance with the U.S. na na na