RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/TPR/G/162 
20 March 2006  
 
(06-1161) 
Trade Policy Review Body Original:  English  
   
 
  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
 
Report by 
 
THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 
 
  
 
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishi ng the Trade Policy Review Mechanism 
(Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade 
Organization), the policy statement by the United Arab Emirates is attached. 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circ ulation and press embargo until the end of the first 
session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Revi ew Body on the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates WT/TPR/G/162 
 Page 3 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 
  Page 
I. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 5 
(1) E CONOMIC GROWTH  5 
(2) E XTERNAL TRADE PERFORMANCE AND OUTWARD INVESTMENT  5 
(3) I NWARD INVESTMENT  5 
(4) P OPULATION AND EMPLOYMENT  6 
(5) F ISCAL POLICY  6 
(6) M ONETARY POLICY  6 
II. TRADE POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 7 
(1) B ILATERAL AGREEMENTS  7 
(2) R EGIONAL AGREEMENTS  7 
(i) Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) 7 
(ii) Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) 8 
(3) UAE  PRIORITIES IN THE DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA (DDA) 8 
III. SECTORAL DEVELOPMENTS 8 
(1) M ANUFACTURING  9 
(2) T ELECOMMUNICATION  9 
(3) T OURISM  9 
)4( B ANKING AND INSURANCE  10 
(5) A IR AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION  10 
(6) P ETROCHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS  10 
IV. FUTURE DIRECTION 10 
(1) R EFORM OF THE INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK  11 
(2) C OMPETITION  11 
(3) E- GOVERNMENT  11 
(4) L ABOUR MARKET AND EMIRATIZATION POLICY  11 
(5) B ETTER SYNERGY BETWEEN MULTILATERALISM AND BILATERALISM  12 
 
ANNEX: UAE NEEDS IN TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 13 
 
   United Arab Emirates WT/TPR/G/162 
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I. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
1. Successive developments in the economy of the United Arab Emirates, and the adoption of 
free market policies and regulations, have led to  impressive growth rates and a trend towards 
sustainable and diversified development.  
2. The UAE Government has successfully pursued a strategy to create an enabling business 
environment that is conducive to economic growth. Th is has contributed to the world-renowned status 
of the UAE as an international centre for trade, fi nance and services and has attracted reputable global 
companies. The UAE has always focused on stre ngthening its stance as a hub for private commerce. 
Hence, it demonstrates an exemplary model to be emulated in all patterns of economic development 
and modernization. 
3. The Ministry of Economy and Planning is curre ntly pursuing the Government’s progressive 
economic agenda, focused around economic liberalizati on, diversification and promotion of the role 
of the private sector.  
(1) ECONOMIC GROWTH  
4. Economic growth in the UAE has witnessed a su bstantial increase over the last few years. 
Nominal gross domestic product has risen from AED 254 billion, in 2001, to AED 379 billion in 
2004, or by more than 14% a year. While preci se data for 2005 was not available at time of 
publication, the GDP trend is likely to have acceler ated in 2005 due to the in crease in the average oil 
price in 2005 and the strong expansion in the non-oil economy.  
5. The Government emphasizes continued divers ification away from dependence upon oil and 
gas to non-oil industries. This is evidenced by th e export mix of the UAE: non-oil exports were 52.3% 
of total exports in the five years from 2000 to 2004 compared to 31.9% in the 1970s and 29.5% in the 1980s. The services sector is another policy focus; th e growth of services will contribute to increased 
diversification and broad-based growth. 
(2) E
XTERNAL TRADE PERFORMANCE AND OUTWARD INVESTMENT  
6. The UAE is a trading nation, as witnessed by its high ratio of imports plus exports (of goods 
and services) to GDP (around 145%).   The UAE is also an important participant in global capital 
markets through  several investment institutions, including, inter alia,  the Abu Dhabi Investment 
Authority, the Dubai Ports Authority, Dubai Ho lding, the Abu Dhabi’s International Petroleum 
Investment Co. (IPIC). Its current account has b een in surplus since independence, despite large 
current transfers by expatriate wo rkers and the chronic deficit of the services account, the UAE as a 
traditional net services importer. 
(3) INWARD INVESTMENT  
7. The UAE strongly believes that the private sector (b oth local and foreign) is the true engine of 
growth in the long run. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is regarded as crucial in order to transfer 
knowledge and expertise in areas that are not yet th e country’s core competencies, open new market 
opportunities by the creation of new networks a nd create employment in knowledge intensive and 
high value-added sectors.  
8. Following the success of the Jebel Ali Free Tr ade Zone, the UAE currently boasts 23 Free 
Zones. Most of these zones are located in Dubai, though the other Emirates are emulating the lead. Some of the zones cater to service sectors (e.g. Du bai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Health WT/TPR/G/162 Trade Policy Review 
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Care City, Knowledge City, Dubai International Financial Center) wh ile others are industrial zones 
(e.g. Hamriyah Free Zone, Ajman Free Zone and the Gold and Diamond Park).   
9. The basic success formula in the different zon es is 100% foreign owne rship, corporate tax 
holidays, no personal taxes, freedom to repatriate capital and profits, and no import duties or currency 
restrictions. 
10. Outside the Free Zones, the formula is somewh at different: corporate tax holidays for most 
sectors, no personal taxes, freedom to repatriate capital and profits, and no currency restrictions. 
Foreign ownership is generally set at a ceiling of  49%, though that is changing with the UAE’s 
commitments to the WTO.  
(4) POPULATION AND EMPLOYMENT  
11. Population, in the UAE, has been rising, over the last few years, at a staggering rate of around 
7% per annum. Around 2% of the growth rate is natu ral, while an influx of expatriate workers is 
helping support the rapid industrialization of the UAE. Population stood at 4.32 million in 2004 
compared to 4.041 million in 2003. In 2004, 3 million people were between the age of 15 and 60. 
12. Expatriates constitute the majority of UAE citi zens (around 85%) and all expatriates come to 
the UAE to work or invest. Unemployment does not exceed 4%. Almost 57% of the population were 
employed in 2004 (2.46 million).  
(5) FISCAL POLICY  
13. The UAE maintains the belief that  income tax exemptions encour age an increase in FDI and a 
more vibrant private sector development. All free zones therefore benefit from zero income tax. 
Moreover, the UAE believes that a balanced public  budget is conducive to economic growth in the 
long run.  
14. Total public revenues have increased from AE D 77 billion, in 2003, to AED 94.4 billion in 
2004, or by around 22.6%. This was primarily due to the increase in oil and gas earnings and increased returns from customs (from AED 2.4 billi on in 2003 to AED 3 billion in 2004).  
15. While public revenues experienced a significan t increase, total public expenditure increased 
by a mere 4.3% - from AED 91.4 billion, in 2003, to  AED 95.3 billion in 2004. Most of this increase 
was due to an increase in current expenditures.  
16. As a result of the prudent management of pub lic revenues, the public deficit significantly 
diminished to AED 855 million in 2004, or less than 1% of total public expe nditures. The deficit was 
financed entirely by returns on government expenditures.  
(6) M
ONETARY POLICY  
17. Over the last few years, domestic liquidity increased with increased capital and FDI flows, 
higher oil prices and increased credit creation by local banks.  
18. Given the fixed peg of the AED against the US dollar and the full and free flow of capital, the 
effectiveness of monetary policy in the UAE is limite d. Local interest rates follow the interest rates on 
the dollar, and therefore the Central Bank attempts  to manage fluctuations in domestic liquidity 
through certificates of deposit (last of which was announced in August 2005).  United Arab Emirates WT/TPR/G/162 
 Page 7 
 
 
II. TRADE POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 
19. The UAE believes that free trade is a neces sary condition for increased competitiveness and 
productivity in the long run. Protectionism, in the fo rm of high tariff barriers and technical barriers to 
trade, would only result in a stagnant and inefficient private sector.  
20. It is in this spirit that the UAE has signed several free trade agreements and embarked on 
negotiations, either individually or with th e GCC, on different regional trade agreements. 
(1) BILATERAL AGREEMENTS   
21. The UAE has signed bilateral preferential agreements with some Arab Countries (Syria, 
Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Iraq). According to t hose agreements, the UAE and its partners accord 
each other preferential access for a specified list of goods.    
22. In March 2005, UAE officially started negotiati ons with the USA with the aim to conclude a 
comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Negotiations are still in process. A Trade Investment Frame Agreement (TIFA) had been already si gned between the two countries in March 2004.  
23. With Australia, the first round of FTA nego tiations has been also launched in March 
2005.  The third round took place in December 2005.  
(2) R
EGIONAL AGREEMENTS   
(i) Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)  
24. The UAE was a founding member of the GCC on the 25th of May, 1981, with Bahrain, 
Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.  
25. The Unified Economic  Agreement (UEA), signed on 11 November 1981 under the Gulf 
Cooperation Council (GCC), met all the re quirements of Article XXIV of GATT  Agreement 1994, 
including paragraphs 5(b) and 8(b).  The free-trad e area had eliminated duties and other restrictive 
regulations of commerce on all trade between the me mbers of the GCC in the products originating in 
the member states, and work was proceeding to fu rther harmonize trade and commercial policies.   
26. The GCC Customs Union had been establishe d and was operative since the beginning 
of January 2003.  Saudi Arabia and other GCC member states were applying the GCC common 
external tariff.  The rates of common external tari ff for more than 85 per cent of the tariff lines were 
5 per cent or 0 per cent. Future plans include the a pplication of common external tariff to all items and 
steps towards a common market and a common currency. 
27. On the liberalization of services within the GCC,  the GCC had liberalized trade in services for 
roughly 100 sub-sectors of services, including professional services, most business services, 
telecommunication services, banking and other fina ncial services, distribution services, education 
services, environmental services, health and related social services and tourism services.  The GCC members had agreed to progressively liberalize other services sectors and sub-sectors. 
28. The UAE is currently participating in the ongoing negotiations between the GCC and the 
European Communities (EC) to conclude a Free Tr ade Agreement, which should cover market access 
for industrial and agricultural products, trade in  services, intellectual property, rules of origin, 
government procurement, investment and legal and institutional arrangements.  WT/TPR/G/162 Trade Policy Review 
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29. On the 6th of July 2004, the GCC and China signed a framework agreement on economic, 
trade, investment, and technical cooperation as an  initial step to launch the negotiations on a Free 
Trade Agreement. Similar arrangements have been taken to establish a Free Trade Area with India, 
Pakistan, Turkey, EFTA and Mercosur. 
(ii) Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA)  
30. The Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), signed on the 19th of  February 1997 and in 
force since the 1st of January 1998, has eliminated most tariffs among its members on the 1st of 
January 2005. The UAE has participated actively in this process.  
(3) UAE  PRIORITIES IN THE DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA (DDA) 
31. The UAE is a strong believer and advocate of th e Multilateral Trading System.  It is playing 
an active role in the current round of multilateral tr ade negotiations.  Its main interests in the Doha 
Development Agenda (DDA) include greater non-ag ricultural market acces s (NAMA) and further 
liberalization of trade in services.  
32. In NAMA, the UAE proposed the inclusion of an additional sector under the sectoral tariff 
elimination initiative.1  The UAE has called on Members to eliminate all tariffs on raw materials, in 
particular on primary aluminium, a vital and strategic input for its manufacturing sector.   
33. The UAE also submitted its initial offer in services,  which is basically in line with the policy 
objectives set by the government and its refo rm process that is currently underway.2   
34. The UAE also recognize the importance of an e ffective and rational “di fferential and special 
treatment” that enables domestic sectors to benefit from  transitional periods of adjustments in order to 
take necessary steps to consolidat e competitiveness. It is crucial fo r the survival of those sensitive 
activities.  
35. The UAE also supports the strengthening of technical assistance programs for developing and 
least-developed countries in the following areas: In formation on the Multilateral Trading System, 
Implementation of the WTO Agreemen ts, and Capacity Building. The specific needs and priorities for 
UAE are related to the following issues: Compe tition Law, SPS & TBT, customs procedures and trade 
facilitation, classification of some services sector  like energy services and maritime transport, 
evaluation of trade in services, notifications procedures related to all WTO agreements, and 
regionalism/bilateralism and the multilateral trading system. 
III. SECTORAL DEVELOPMENTS 
36. Diversification away from oil and into industry and services has been high on the 
government's agenda for the last couple of decades.  Below are a few developments in some economic 
sectors3.  
                                                      
 1 WTO document TN/MA/W/37, 37Add.1  & Add.2. 
 2 WTO document TN/S/O/ARE. 
 3 It is important to note, however, that the selec tion of these sectors does not necessarily mean that 
these are "winning" sectors.  The UAE Government does not pick winners, as is the case in several other 
countries. Rather, these sectors are referenced due to th eir substantial economic growth  in the last few years.  
 United Arab Emirates WT/TPR/G/162 
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(1) MANUFACTURING  
37. Manufacturing is the largest non-oil economic se ctor in the country, contributing around AED 
14% of GDP and around one fifth of the entire non -oil economy. This sector includes cement and 
blocks, ceramics, textiles and cl othing, pharmaceuticals, gold and jewellery, and other subsectors. 
Growth in manufacturing was a result of both increasi ng demand (due to a rapidly rising population) 
and increased export-oriented supply (with th e expansion of the free zones and FDI).  
38. Manufacturing industry will play an increasingly important role in UAE's economy. This will 
be facilitated by the current availability of basi c infrastructure and communications within the 
industrial zones, the geographic proximity of the UAE  to suppliers of raw materials (e.g. India and 
China) and buyers of final products (e.g. EU an d Arab countries), and the availability of private 
capital.  
(2) TELECOMMUNICATION  
39. The telecommunication sector in the UAE is one of  the most advanced in the world. In the 
past few years, the sector has witnessed rapid growth in m-penetration  (mobile penetration), which in 
2005 exceeded 95% of the population. In addition, e-penetration  (internet penetration) has reached 
47%, of which almost one in five subscribers u se broadband, both among the highest in the Middle 
East. Various initiatives to accelerate the advancement of the telecom sector have been taken by the 
UAE Government. These include the Federal law by Decree No.3 of 2003 and its Executive Order 
which initiated the telecom liberalization process a nd established an independent Telecommunications 
Regulatory Authority (TRA). The TRA is vested with powers to regulate a competitively sustainable 
telecom sector. A second operator with a comprehe nsive license will begin commercial operations in 
2006.  
40. The UAE was the first country in the region to introduce GSM mobile and the first to offer 
third generation (3G) mobile data services.  To help  maintain the country’s leadership position, the 
TRA has established a Telecommunications Deve lopment Fund, financed by licensed telecom 
operators, which will foster research and development in the UAE telecom sector.   
(3) TOURISM  
41. The experience of the UAE in tourism has been  extremely successful, and tourism is picking 
up at a surprisingly positive rate. In 2004, an estimat ed 5.4 million tourists visited the country. Hotels 
boast 95% occupancy throughout the year and several hotels have started to construct new branches to 
cater to the exponential growth in demand. 
42. The UAE has mostly attracted business, leisure and shopping tourism. Given the UAE's year-
round sunshine, rich marine life, and the gener ous endowments of islands, beaches, the UAE is 
positioning itself into a top "sun, sea and sand" tourism destination. Additional facilities and 
attractions, such as shopping malls, museums, and golf courses are being built in several emirates.  
43. Dubai has a regional niche in the annual Dubai Shopping Festival, which attracts thousands of 
visitors, from the region and internationally, to th e city. The recently established Abu Dhabi Tourism 
Authority has set itself a target of increasing a nnual visitor numbers to over 3 million by 2015. To 
achieve that, Abu Dhabi plans to spend at least  AED 40 billion over the coming ten years. Other 
Emirates are promoting tourism as well. Sharjah is branding itself in cultural preservation and heritage, education and the arts.  WT/TPR/G/162 Trade Policy Review 
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(4) BANKING AND INSURANCE   
44. Banks, in the UAE, have witnessed an unprecedented boom. Aggregate net profits for all 
UAE banks approached AED 9 billion in 2004, or ov er 35% higher than 2003. The average return on 
equity was at least 17.8%.  
45. The UAE is developing an expertise in Islamic banking, which has quickly emerged, in the 
last few years, as an alternative to commercial (int erest-based) loans. In time, this expertise may be 
exported, in the future, to other markets thro ugh international invest ments and acquisitions. 
46. The insurance sector has also grown; a large portion services the hydrocarbon and 
construction industries - sectors that have significa ntly developed, over the last few years, and are 
expected to continue to grow. Gross earned premiu ms were a little less than AED 4 billion in 2003, or 
double the 1999 figures. Given the UAE’s fast population growth of more than 7%, the sector’s outlook is very good.   
(5) A
IR AND MARITIME TRANSPORTATION  
47. Passenger and cargo transportation has risen in im portance over the last few years. The World 
Tourism Organisation’s Tourism Highlights 2005 repor t shows that the Middle East was the fourth 
most-visited region in the world in 2004, attracti ng more than 35 million vis itors—18 per cent higher 
than the previous year. UAE airlines (Emirates Ai rlines, Ittihad Airlines and Air Arabia) are updating 
their fleets and are pursuing a forceful strategy  to capitalize on the increased passenger demand by 
pursuing several strategies, including transpor tation options that focus on superior passenger 
experiences as well as options that emphasize affordability.  
48. In addition, the UAE has developed as a re gional hub for maritime transportation and 
logistics. UAE ports handle large throughput to a nd from the region, and ship and boat building are 
emerging as strategic competencies.  
(6) PETROCHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS  
49. Most of the UAE's oil reserves are located in  Abu Dhabi, which is home to several major 
petrochemical and fertilizer industrial complexes.  Some of the industrial complexes are the Abu 
Dhabi Polymers Company, the Ruwais Fertilizer  Industries Company and Abu Dhabi Fertilizer 
Industries Company.  
50. These complexes supply the UAE and the region  with various products (plastics and 
aromatics).  
IV. FUTURE DIRECTION 
51. The UAE has made significant strides in economic  development over the last few years. This 
was primarily due to the UAE government’s provision of an enabling regulatory environment. It is 
expected that services will play a larger role in the UAE economy over the medium to long run, with 
rapid increases in niche sectors such as air and mar itime transportation, logistics, medical tourism, 
pharmaceuticals and IT.  
52. The vision of the government of the UAE is to transform the country into a regional (and even 
global) hub for entrepreneurship in several industria l and service spheres. To achieve that vision, the 
government is committed to maintaining laissez faire  policies and an effective public-private 
partnership.  United Arab Emirates WT/TPR/G/162 
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53. It is important to shed light on some of th e challenges that has faced the country and the 
government's steps to address them:  
(1) REFORM OF THE INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK  
54. Currently, discussions are underway in the UAE to re-examine the Fe deral Commercial law 
that limits foreigners to minority stakes in local firms (the historical cap of 49%).  
55. To some extent, these restrictions have affected  the flow of FDI. However, two parameters 
should be taking into consideration to  understand this situation. First of all, the demographic structure 
of the UAE is such that nationals constitute the mi nority vis-à-vis foreigners, Second of all, the UAE 
is a major capital exporter. Those factors explain the philosophy of the current regime i.e. preserving 
and protecting the economic interests of the nationa ls and guaranteeing them a share in their own 
market.   
56. However, after reaching a certain maturity , and due to the UAE obligations under 
international trade negotiations, the Government is developing a comprehensive strategy to deal with 
this new juncture. The main objective is to furthe r diversify the economy. The reform of the current 
investment framework (through amendments to the Company Law) is perceived as one of the most 
important ways to materialize this objective a nd attract more FDI to support this endeavour. 
(2) COMPETITION  
57. In order to protect consumers from unjustified price increases, the government is currently 
assessing the possibility of introduction of a Comp etition Law, after evidence surfaced of possible 
anticompetitive practices. This is in line with th e strategy of the UAE government to create an 
enabling business environment that is conducive to economic growth. 
58. The UAE plans to set up a consumer protection au thority, under draft laws that are currently 
before the economy ministry 
(3) E-GOVERNMENT  
59. The UAE national site was fully re -branded to the new www.government.ae  and the Ministry 
of Education website now has participatory features.  These developments, and others, have raised the 
ranking of the UAE from 60th, in 2004, to 42nd, in 2005, in global government e-readiness, according 
to the UN Global E-Government E-readiness Report for 2005.  
60. Greater efforts will be exerted to develop e-government services between government 
agencies (intra-government, or G2G), government to business (G2B), and government to citizens 
(G2C).  
(4) LABOUR MARKET AND EMIRATIZATION POLICY  
61. The UAE is, perhaps, the only country in the world where fo reigners dominate the private 
sector, both as employers and employees. In almost all countries that allow immigration, the rule is that foreigners are only allowed to take up jobs wh en suitably-qualified nationals are not available. 
62. This situation is in need of serious thinking and careful policy-making that sets targets with a 
long-term vision. WT/TPR/G/162 Trade Policy Review 
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63. It is largely recognized that expatriate worker s will continue to play a vital role in the 
country’s economy. Nevertheless, the authorities feel  that the growth of the private sector and 
employment of non-nationals cannot  be left unregulated. Hence, they propose the establishment of 
quota system for nationals in certain sectors. 
64. It is also recognized that in order for nationals to become active participants in the private 
sector, efforts are necessary by both parties. This requires fundamental changes in attitudes, 
conditions and environment w ithin the private sector as well as among UAE nationals seeking 
employment. 
65. The authorities will continue to support the current labor market strategy in order to increase 
employment opportunities for U.A.E. nationals. This st rategy should continue to rely on a qualitative 
approach consisting of raising the skills of natio nals through better education and training programs 
geared toward private sector labor demand.  
(5) BETTER SYNERGY BETWEEN MULTILATERALISM AND BILATERALISM  
66. Currently, the UAE is involved in a vast programme of trade liberalization at the regional 
level. The UAE policy is not the only example of such trends. A growing number of economies are 
seeking to liberalize their trade swiftly and on th e basis of sound disciplines, even in services and 
investment.  In doing so, their preferred instrument  has been agreements concluded outside the WTO, 
the reason being that negotiations in the WTO are slow  and their ambition is not always set as high as 
the level that can be achieved in bilateral agreements.   
67. The UAE, nevertheless, believed that it is essen tial to have a strengthened system which is 
fully legitimate and lays down the principles and rules for international trade.  To fulfil that role, the 
WTO occupies a unique position that no bilateral or regional agreement can equal. This effort should 
not be wasted.  
68. Consequently, the UAE Government is committe d to pursuing trade liberalization globally, 
regionally, and individually with some leadi ng partners. However, it still believes that the 
international economic system will prosper most if the regional and bilateral agreements fit within a 
global framework of rules (i.e. within the WTO framework).  
 
 United Arab Emirates WT/TPR/G/162 
 Page 13 
 
 
ANNEX: UAE NEEDS IN TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
 
 
(1) I NFORMATION ON THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM  
 
 Modernizing the WTO Reference Center located at the Ministry of Economy and Planning. 
 Considering the possibility to expand the activ ities of UAE Reference Center as a Regional 
Reference Center for GCC member states. 
 Exploring the possibility to set up a cooperati on program between the WTO and a selected UAE 
University to create a University Degree on WTO issues in the Department of Law or Economics. 
 Organizing teleconferences between WTO (Geneva) and selected departments in Abu Dhabi and 
Dubai on specific issues. 
 Due to the success of previous experiences, con tinuing to organize in UAE regional seminars, 
workshops, and conference on WTO-related issues. 
 Organizing seminars for Business Community a nd Academics with targeted massages on the 
advantages and rights as well as the constrai nts and obligations emanating from the WTO 
membership.  
 
(2) I MPLEMENTATION OF THE WTO  AGREEMENTS  
 
 Organizing national Seminars and workshops, eith er by the WTO secretariat or in cooperation 
with other international organizations, on: 
 
• Customs valuation and trade facilitation and Rules of Origin. 
• SPS & TBT. 
• Trade in Services: Classification of some service sectors e.g. energy services and maritime 
transport; evaluation of trade in services. 
• IPR: familiarization of the Judicial and Custom s authorities with the protection of IPR, legal 
and institutional impacts of the adherence to ne w international agreements on IPR (other than 
those required by TRIPs).    
• Notifications procedures related to all WTO agreements. 
• Regionalism/ bilateralism and Multilateral Trading System. 
 
 Adaptation of domestic legislations regard ing contingency trade remedies, government 
procurement, and professional services. 
 Technical and legal advisory related to interna tional best practice in competition for the purpose 
of drafting a new Law on Competition.  
 Exploring the possibility to launch a Regional Trad e Policy Course similar to those organized in 
some member countries (Kenya, Jamaica and Morocco). 
 (3) C
APACITY BUILDING  
 
 Strengthening  negotiations skills. 
 Allowing UAE candidates to benefit  from training periods in the WTO Secretariat. 
 Advising on the establishment of national stru ctures in charge of commercial defence. 
 Advising on the appropriate methodology to unify the existing structures responsible for IPR.   
 
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