You can be confident you will get paid. There are plenty of big projects, such as Emaar Properties and Dubai Investments, not to mention contracts for the oil and gas industry in Abu Dhabi. The fact that the Emirates have the physical and administrative infrastructure to facilitate business is also crucial. But the UAE is not without its woes. Severe restrictions on foreign ownership of businesses and property are clear deterrents to foreign investment, says Dresdner Bank's Kuhlmann.
Sponsorship is a weakness.
It does not help to attract foreign companies. The legal system is also inadequate for the level of business taking place, according to Central Bank governor Sultan bin Nasser Al Suwaidi. British Embassy officials, while genuinely enthusiastic about the prospects for overseas investment, have words of caution for potential investors. We do warn people about the poor quality of unskilled labour. It is cheap, but it does take longer to get the job done.