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United Arab Emirates
Country Overview
President: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan
Prime Minister: Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum
Independence: December 2, 1971 (from United Kingdom)
Population (2003E): 2.5 million
Location/Size: Persian Gulf between Oman and Saudi Arabia/30,000 square miles
Major Cities: Abu Dhabi (capital), Dubai, Sharjah, al-Ain
Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
Ethnic Groups: Arab (UAE citizens) (19%), other Arab and Iranian (23%), South Asian (50%), other expatriate (Western and East Asian) 8%.
Religion: Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, Other 4%
Economic Overview
Currency: Dirham (AED)
Market Exchange Rate (2/2/04): US$1 = 3.67 Dirhams
Gross Domestic Product (2003E): $79.9 billion (2004F): $85.8 billion
Real GDP Growth Rate (2003E): 4.0% (2004F): 4.2%
Inflation Rate (consumer prices)(2003E): 2.5%
Major Trading Partners: Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Germany, South Korea, Iran, India
Current Account Balance (2003E): $8.1 billion
Merchandise Exports (2003E): $50.2 billion
Merchandise Imports (2003E): $39.7 billion
Merchandise Trade Balance (2003E): $10.5 billion
Major Export Products: Crude oil, natural gas, re-exports, aluminum, dried fish, dates
Major Import Products: Manufactured goods, machinery, and transportation equipment, food
International Reserves (2003E): $14.0 billion
Government Structure
The UAE is a federation of seven emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al-Qaiwain. Political power is concentrated in Abu Dhabi, which controls the vast majority of the UAE's economic and resource wealth. The two largest emirates -- Abu Dhabi and Dubai -- provide over 80% of the UAE's income. In June 1996, the UAE's Federal National Council approved a permanent constitution for the country. This replaced a provisional document which had been renewed every five years since the country's creation in 1971. The establishment of Abu Dhabi as the UAE's permanent capital was one of the new framework's main provisions.
Society
Population: 2,523,915
Population growth rate: 1.57% (2004 est.)
Birth rate: 18.65 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate: 4.14 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Education: In 1988-89 academic year, more than 283,000 students (almost one-half female) attended public primary and secondary schools. Education compulsory at primary level and free at all levels. Most of 17,000 teachers and administrators foreigners. In 1987-88 more than 7,000 students, almost one-half women, attended United Arab Emirates University.
Health: Comprehensive public health care system, free for citizens but charges for some services provided foreigners. Majority of medical personnel foreigners, primarily from Egypt, India, and Pakistan. In 1990 life expectancy at birth 68.6 years for males and 72.9 years for females.
Ethnic Groups: Almost all citizens indigenous Arabs. Foreign population included other Arabs (especially Egyptians, Omanis, Palestinians, and Yemenis), Indians, Pakistanis, and Iranians.
Religion: Most citizens Sunni Muslims. About 60 percent of foreign population Sunnis; 20 percent Shia Muslims; 20 percent Hindus, Christians, and other.
Economy
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): purchasing power parity - $57.7 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5.2% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2003 est.)
Oil Industry: In 1987 oil and gas extraction contributed 36 percent of GDP. Petroleum products accounted for over 73 percent of exports (79 percent of exports in 1990). Abu Dhabi had largest reserves and most of production. Crude oil production 878 million barrels in 1991 (81 percent from Abu Dhabi).
Industry: Oil refining and gas processing most important, followed by petrochemicals, utilities, and cement, all using oil or gas as fuel and feedstock. Government owned at least one-half interest in these plants. Dubai Dry Docks one of world's largest and most modern. Majority of industrial workers foreigners.
Agriculture and Fishing: . Production mostly vegetables, fruit, livestock, and poultry. Water shortages restrict farming. Fishing industry being developed.
Exports: $56.73 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) Exports – commodities include crude oil 45% natural gas, re-exports, dried fish, dates. Exports – partners include Japan 26.8%, South Korea 9.5%, Iran 3.8%
Imports: $37.16 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) Imports – commodities include: machinery andtransport equipment, chemicals, food. Imports – partners include: China 10.9%, Japan 7.9%, Germany 7.8%, US 7.6%, France 7.5%, UK 6.5%, Italy 4.8%, India 4.4% (2003 est.)
Currency and Exchange Rate: UAE dirham. In 1994 US$1 = Dh3.67 (fixed rate).
Fiscal Year: Calendar year.
Transportation And Telecommunications
Transportation: About 2,000 kilometers of roads, of which 1,800 kilometers are paved. Principal road is highway from Ash Sham via all main coastal cities to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Dubayy major regional and international sea and air traffic center. UAE has several ports, of which largest is Mina Jabal Ali near city of Dubayy. Dubayy has major international airport, but Abu Dhabi, Al Fujayrah, Ras al Khaymah, and Sharjah also have international airports.
Telecommunications: International telecommunications excellent via satellites, radio relay, and telephone. All populated areas receive radio and television transmissions.
Government And Politics
Government: Federation of seven amirates, as defined in 1971 provisional constitution. Powers divided between federal and amirate governments. Head of state is UAE president, Shaykh Zayid ibn Sultan Al Nuhayyan, chosen by Supreme Council of the Union composed of rulers of seven amirates. Federal National Council has consultative function.
Politics: No political parties. Amirs and their families, particularly those of Abu Dhabi and Dubayy, most important political actors; technocrats and commercial interests play lesser role.
Foreign Relations: Member of United Nations, League of Arab States, Organization of the Islamic Conference, Gulf Cooperation Council, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries.
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