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CHAPTER X: APPENDICES APPENDIX A: Country data A. Profile Population: With a 1998 estimate of 2.8 million, the population of the United Arab Emirates has been growing about 3.0% annually. Major ethnic groups include Arab, Pakistani, Indian, Iranian, Afghan, Bangladeshi and Filipino, while exact data is not available. Less than 20 percent of the population are believed to be nationals of the United Arab Emirates. Religion (s): The official religion is Islam, 90 percent of the total population ( including expatriates) are Muslims. The authorities permit worship of other religions. There are Christian churches and Hindu temples in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Government Systems: The government is a federation of the seven Emirates headed by a president and a vice president ( since its respectively). The rules 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 rules, acts as an advisory legislative body. The Council of Ministers, appointed by the supreme council, manages the day to day affairs of the federation. Each Emirates has its own local government involved with municipal affairs, and in some cases major public utilities like power and water. 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 private business offices are also open on Thursday afternoon. Working hours vary. Government offices and banks close for the day at 1:00 pm, but commercial outlets re-open in the afternoon from about 4:30 pm - 8:00pm. Note: The oil sector in Abu Dhabi works 07:00 a.m. - 15:00 p.m., Saturday through Wednesday. 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. Drugs and Crime Penalties: Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession, illegal substances are strict in the United Arab Emirates. A variety of drugs normally taken under a doctor's supervision in the United States are classified as narcotics in the U.A.E.. Doctor's prescriptions should be carried along with any medication that is brought into the country. U.A.E. authorities have been known to arrest travelers upon their arrival here and based on recent prior drug use, to prosecute these travelers. Crimes of fraud, including passing bad checks and non-payment of bills (including hotel bills), are regarded seriously in the U.A.E. and can result in imprisonment, as well as fines. Penalties are generally assessed according to religious law. If imprisoned, bail is generally not available to non-residents of the U.A.E.. Drinking alcohol without a ministry of interior liquor permit is illegal and could result in arrest or fines and imprisonment. Alcohol is served at bars in most major hotels. However, this alcoholic beverage services is for those persons who are residing at the hotel. Persons not residing at the hotel who come in to use the facility's bar technically are required to have their own personal liquor license. Liquor licenses are obtainable only by persons who possess U.A.E. residency permits. Drinking and driving is considered a serious offense. Driver's license: In order to drive, U.A.E. residents must obtain a U.A.E. driver's license. Foreign driver's licenses are not recognized and temporary U.A.E. licenses are no longer issued. However, a non-resident visitor to the U.A.E. can drive if he/she obtains a valid international driver's license issued by the motor vehicle authorities of the country whose passport the travelers holds. Under no circumstances should anyone drive without a valid license. Appendix B: Domestic Economy USD Millions 1997 1998 1999* Nominal GDP (Billion USD) 48.0 50.6 54.1 Real GDP Growth Rate 0.7 3.0 4.0 (Percent) GDP Per Capita 17, 800 18,200 18,800 (Current Prices) Government Spending as a Percentage of GDP 15.4 16.0 16.0 Unemployment 2.6 2.7 2.7 Official Foreign Exchange Reserves 8.0 8.25 8.50 Average Exchange Rate for USD 1.00 3.671 3.671 3.671 Debt Service Ratio n/a n/a n/a U.S. Economic/Military Assistance n/a n/a n/a *Projections Appendix C - Trade (USD millions) 1997 1998(e) 1999(e) Total U.A.E. Exports 31,070 31,501 34,813 Total U.A.E. Imports 24,952 27,072 29,211 U.S. Exports to the U.A.E. 2,606 2,900 3,200 U.S. Imports from the U.A.E. 965 950 1,000 U.S. share of U.A.E. imports (percent) 11.00 12.0 13.0 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 1,621 1,790 - 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) 10 Appendix D: Investment Statistics U.S. foreign direct investment in the U.A.E. was $ 789 million in 1996, up 19.6 percent from that in 1995.
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