UAE one of 10 key emerging markets for UK

Ten key emerging markets have been highlighted in the strategy as markets of particular importance. The UAE has been identified as one of these markets where the UK wants to deepen trade and investment relations. To help achieve this goal, UKTI will transfer more than £5 million (Dhs 34 million) of its resources to focus on the list of key emerging markets, including the UAE, in order to increase UK impact.

The criteria for identifying emerging markets include: market size and potential for growth; strategic political and economic importance; performance of UK businesses relative to competitors and the presence of active local partners keen to strengthen trading links with the UK.

The inclusion of the UAE as a key emerging market reflects the already strong commercial relationship between the UK and the UAE, and the excellent opportunities that the UAE has to offer. Figures released by the UK's Department of Trade and Industry show that UK exports to the UAE in 2005 totalled 36.2 billion Dirhams (£5.57 billion), making the UAE the UK's 9th largest export market world-wide, and the largest in the region. Hundreds of UK companies are well established here, the British Business Groups in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have over 900 members, and commercial relations are at an all time high in most of the major sectors.

Historically the UK and the UAE have enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship. Today over 120,000 British citizens work and live in the UAE, around 1 million British nationals visit the UAE annually, and there are over 140 direct flights between the UAE and the UK each week. This decision by UKTI to strengthen the trade and investment relationship shows that we are committed to keeping this relationship as relevant today as it ever was.

Full details of the UK press release and the full strategy document are attached. Further details can be viewed at