WELC

OM

E

Group Project:International Business Communication

CSUN English 205OL Spring 2010

Team

Mem

bers

The A-Team•E

liza Armor

•Rocky

Sabano

•Marcos Real

•Tony

Kaloutian

Cou

ntr

y In UAEUnited Arab

Emirates

How to Conduct Business

Guide To

M

ap

of

UA

E

M

ap

of

UA

E

Wh

at

is t

he U

AE?

7 emirates united by geography which differ culturally and economically

Dubai

Sharjah

Abu Dhabi

Ajman

Fujeira

Umm Al-Quwain

Ras Al Khaima

P

op

ula

tion

Total Population of UAE 4,320,000

D

ub

ai &

Ab

u

Dh

ab

i

• Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two focal metropolitan regions for the country.

• Evolved drastically over last 15 years, have become very secular compared to other five emirates.

D

ub

ai –

Th

e P

alm

The Palm is the world’s largest man-made islands• The Palm Jumeirah• The Palm Jebel Ali

• The Palm Deira• Leisure, residential and tourism

• Over 60 luxury hotels, 5,000 residential beachside villas, 5,000 apartments, marinas and theme parks

D

ub

ai –

Th

e W

orl

d The World consists of over 300 man made islands that are designed to represent the world map

• Located 4 km offshore from Dubai• 9 km (width) by 7 km (length)• Visible from space

Lan

gu

ag

es

Arabic is the official and universal language

Hindi and Urdu are minority languages

English is widely used in business

Farsi is spoken in Dubai

Eth

nic

Gro

up

sSouth Asians accounted for 50% of the total population at last estimate. Emirates constituted 19%, while other Arabs and Iranians made up 23%. Other expatriates, including Westerners and East Asians, totaled 8%. Jordanians, Palestinians, Egyptians, Iraqis, and Bahrainis are employed throughout the bureaucracy, including the educational system.

M

on

eta

ry U

nit

The United Arab Emirates dirham ( UD ), introduced as the currency in May 1973, is divided into 100 fils. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 fils and 1 and 5 dirham and notes of 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 dirhams.

UD 1 = $0.27337 (or $1 = UD 3.658)

A

lcoh

ol

• Alcohol legalization in the country has taken place, but must be consumed in private licensed areas only such as clubs, bars and hotels

• Being caught drinking outside these areas will result in fines, prison sentences and deportation depending on severity and/or frequency.

R

am

ad

an

The Significance of Ramadan

Month in which the Qur’an (the holy book of Islam) was revealed.

Special month of: Fasting, Repentance, Increased prayer, Increased charity.

Ends with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr: Day of celebration and gratitude.

R

am

ad

an

Westerner must be aware of severe consequences of disrespecting principles of holy month of

Ramadan9th month of Islamic calendar, August

• No eating from dusk till dawn• No Sex• No Lies• No Sinning• Not doing anything in excess

Gre

eti

ng

s B

etw

een

P

eop

le

In any form of greeting and upon entering a room it is absolutely crucial for one to say “Al Salamu Alaikum” (meaning “Peace Be Upon You”) to show respect.

Between people of the same gender, kissing on the cheek or nose is a greeting that exemplifies respect or affection.

Holding hands or linking arms is a sign of a close bond among people of the same gender.

S

ocia

l Eti

qu

ett

eIn public places, people are expected to conform with

UAE culture and tradition.

1. No disrespectful or indecent clothing.

2. No public displays of affection or offensive acts.

3. No offensive language or signs

Disregarding the law can be punishable by deportation or prison sentences.

S

ocia

l Eti

qu

ett

e When dining with someone socially or in business

terms, it is considered unorthodox to split the bill.

As the left hand is considered unclean, always use your right hand for eating, drinking and shaking

hands.

Unless you are a woman, avoid casual conversation with female Emirati Nationals; the same goes for

shaking hands unless she extends hers first.

C

loth

ing

• Businessmen may dress formally in suits, yet when temperatures rise to 110 degrees Fahrenheit some may choose to wear a Kandora which is a light, loose-fitting

robe reaching to the ankles.

• Business women may wear suits, dresses, or sleeved blouses with skirts. To avoid wearing anything too revealing, women wear long sleeves and skirts to

exemplify respect toward the Muslim culture.

D

ivers

ity

Although Arabic is the country’s native language, English is the most widely spoken language by the

majority of the people and is even used on traffic signs

Approx 20% of the population are UAE nationals.

Influences from all over the world have reshaped the UAE culture making it possible for new businesses

and industries to develop today.

D

ivers

ity

The large nightlife industry of Dubai gives businessmen an idea of where the country is heading

in the future (all alcohol beverages contain a 30% additional tax).

Since UAE has become so diverse, the country’s culture and religious roots are expected to become

completely wiped out within 50 years or so.

Th

e E

nd

Thank you