UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Business/social hints
Appointments: must be made in advance. Punctuality is appreciated.
Attire for business meetings: men should wear a suit and tie, women should dress conservatively in a lightweight suit.
Etiquette: it is customary to shake hands on meeting and taking leave. It is the convention to use the right and not the left hand when passing or receiving anything.
Language: many executives speak English, a few words of Arabic would be appreciated.
Laws: smoking is accepted but restricted in public areas, especially during Ramadan.
Invitations: dress as for business. Punctuality is appreciated.
Local time: GMT +4.
Capital:Abu Dhabi.
Language:Arabic and English.
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz (Abu Dhabi).
Int. direct dialling code: 971.
Driving:national licence required with letter from visitors sponsor. International Driving Permit recommended.
Currency: dirham (AED 1 = 100 Fils).
Notes: AED: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000.
Business hours
Banks: 8am-12pm Saturday-Wednesday 8am-11am Thursday.
Offices: 8am-11pm and 4pm-7.30pm Saturday-Wednesday, 8am-12pm Thursday (closed Fridays).
Shops: 8am-1pm and 4pm-8.30pm.
Emergency Services
Police: 999.
Ambulance: 998.
Health
Compulsory vaccinations: none
Weather
Temperatures are very hot between May-September and warm and sunny from mid-October-April with occasional rainfall. Rainfall is very low and falls mainly between November-March. Humidity is high in coastal areas during summer.
Sharkah Temp C Humidity % Rain
Max Min am pm (mm)
January 27 13 81 61 23
February 24 14 81 63 23
March 27 16 74 61 10
April 30 18 66 63 5
May 34 22 61 63 0
June 36 25 64 65 0
July 44 29 64 64 0
August 39 28 66 64 0
September 37 25 73 64 0
October 33 22 77 62 0
November 31 18 78 59 10
December 26 14 82 62 36
Dubai International DXB
Postal address: Department of Civil Aviation, PO Box 2525, Dubai.
Telephone: +971 4 245555.
Telex: 46678 CIVAV EM
Fax: +971 4 244074/245139.
Transportation to city centre: Bus operates 6am-10pm, fare AED 1.50, journey time 20-25mins.
Airport taxi: fare AED 35, journey time 10mins.
Airport departure tax: none
Flight information: tel 24577, available 24hrs.
Business facilities: tel 245333, available 24hrs in arrivals.
Passport and visas
Required.
Restrictions
Entry and transit is refused to nationals of Israel.
Customs
Import allowances: 200 cigarettes or 400 cigars or 2kg of tobacco. Two litres of spirits and two litres of wine (non-muslims only). A reasonable quantity of perfume.