Business contacts

Mobile phones The UAE uses the GSM network (so most mobile phones are compatible- ETISALAT prepaid Wasel service enables a local SIM card for your phone to get a local number (codes always start with 050) and top-up cards for Dhs 30 are easily available at all kiosks, bookshops, and vending machines at the malls.

Car hire

All the major hire companies and a number of reputable local companies can be found 24-hours a day at the airport, while most hotels will also have an affiliation with at least one of the hire companies. The rates are reasonable, and fairly universal, with anything from a little run around to a 4x4 available, but there are two things to bare in mind while on the road. Firstly, never ever drink and drive as the zero tolerance policy can land you in a whole heap of bother. Secondly, do not get wound up by the erratic driving that you will witness on a daily basis in the city.

Al Ghazal 6342200
Avis Rent-a-Car 6218400
Budget Rent-a-Car 6334200(24hrs)
Europcar 6261441
Fast Rent-a-Car 6324000
Thrifty 6345663

Office Rental

Conference and business facilities in most of the hotels are top notch but should you require further assistance in getting your office established contact Regus Instant Offices Worldwide (04) 211-5100.

Business Hours

Before doing any business in the emirates there is one word that needs to be understood – Inshallah. Literally translating as ‘God willing’ it can manifest itself as an apparent laissez faire approach to business and life but its essential that you do not get frustrated by it. Things are relatively laid back in the city but that has just as much to do with the harsh climate as it does the prevailing attitudes. Very little business takes place between 1-4pm. Most private sector companies will re-open for business until well into the evening. International companies will work more regular hours, but if doing business with locals do not be surprised to have to meet late at night. Weekends can also be confusing. Everyone has Friday off, but other days can vary dependent on the company in question. All government offices are closed on Thursdays and Fridays, shops remain closed on Friday mornings.

Local Press

There are a number of daily Arabic newspapers, some exclusive to the city, and three main English language broadsheets – Khaleej Times, Gulf Today, Gulf News. Each offer their own take of both regional and international news, albeit a tad formulated and press released. That said with the general easing of the publishing laws in the region things are gradually changing. International dailies, even blacked out tabloids, are usually available from the major hotels but will cost much more than they would in their country of origin. As for magazines there are host available with new titles and releases coming into the market all the time, but the two that best cater for the needs of the nation are Time Out Abu Dhabi and What’s On.

Internet

Over a third of the country are hooked up to the net placing it in the top twenty countries globally. As such you will not have to go far to find access for a fraction of the cost that you might expect to pay elsewhere. The majority of hotels have wireless access but because of the country’s moral values many sites that are deemed unsuitable are blocked via Etisilat’s - the sole internet provider - proxy server. Internet Cafes litter the city streets and are hard to miss. So from the bog standard, to the bold and beautiful complete with delicious coffee and homemade cake you’ll find somewhere to log on.

Money

The UAE dirham is pegged to the US$ and converts as such – $1=Dhs 3.67. Other currencies fluctuate regularly, but that said cash is still very much king. Credit cards are widely accepted and most cash points have an international link but for the best rates use cash in dollars or sterling and convert in licensed banks or exchange offices. Remember that banks usually close at 1pm each day and don’t forget to take your passport for identification. The main local banks are the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi although you will also find branches of HSBC, Citibank, Standard Chartered and Barclays.

Tipping Etiquette

It’s really up to you but there are plenty of opportunities to relieve yourself of a penny or two. Porters at the airport charge a set fee. A service charge is usually added to your bill when eating out but that usually goes to the hotel not the waiter so try and leave a little bit for them if you wish to show your appreciation with about 10%. Loose change or the smaller notes are the norm for petrol pump attendants, taxi drivers, hotel porters and assorted others.

Visa / Vaccination Info

All visitors except Arab Gulf Cooperation Council nationals (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) require a visa. Visitors from the UK will be granted a free visit visa on arrival that is valid for two months and can be renewed for a third. Meanwhile those from the following countries - Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,

Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vatican City – have to pay a Dhs 100 visa fee upon arrival. This will entitle the visitor to a one-month stay after which should you can renew by doing a ‘visa run’ that basically involves exiting and re-entering the country to gain an exit stamp and new entry stamp in your passport. It will require a flight to a neighboring country – ideally Qatar or Oman – wherein passengers remain in transit, and therefore do not require entry visas for the country they fly to. Other nationalities must apply for a visit/entry visa at least 14 days in advance. No vaccinations are necessary unless you have suffered from yellow fever in the month before travel.

Public Holidays

When going to Abu Dhabi on business make sure that your trip does not fall on a religious holiday as the country will come to a grinding halt regardless. Also make sure you check when the Holy month of Ramadan is as you will be expected to observe the laws of no drinking, eating or smoking during daylight hours out of respect for the nationals. Hotels might serve in their restaurants, and in the rooms, but the utmost care and respect must be taken at all times.

Islamic holidays are based on sightings of the moon, so dates can vary:
Jan 1st – New Year’s Day
Jan 21st-23rd – Eid al_Adha
February 10th – Islamic New Year
April 21st – Milad al-Nabi (Prophet Mohammed’s birthday)
August 6th- Accession of Sheik Zayed
Sept 1st – Lailat al Mi’raj (Ascension of the Prophet)
Nov 3rd – 5th – Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan)
Dec 2nd – UAE Nationjal Day

Suggested Reading

Time Out City Guide – a definitive guide to the city’s entertainment and cultural haunts from the well-respected international publishers who have an office in the city.

Al Ain and Abu Dhabi Explorer – an essential resident and visitors guide with information for all types of visitors to the country, including an authoritative guide to the capital’s varied offerings.

Weather & Climate

Abu Dhabi has a sub-tropical, arid climate with sunny blue skies and high temperatures can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular, falling mainly in winter – November to March. Temperatures range from a low of around 10 degrees Celsius to a high of around 48 degrees Celsius in the summer. During the winter, there are occasional sandstorms (‘shamal’) when the sand is whipped up off the desert. Rule of thumb; November-May is perfect for outdoor activities, June-September is limited to indoor only.