Editing United Arab Emirates (section)

== Economy ==
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{{NPOV language|section|date=January 2024}}
{{Main|Economy of the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Burj Khalifa.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Burj Khalifa]], the [[List of tallest buildings and structures in the world|tallest human-made structure in the world]], located in [[Dubai]]]]
The United Arab Emirates has developed from a juxtaposition of Bedouin tribes to one of the world's wealthiest states in only about 50 years, boasting one of the highest [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|GDP (PPP) per capita]] figures in the world. Economic growth has been impressive and steady throughout the history of this young confederation of emirates with brief periods of recessions only, e.g. in the global financial and economic crisis years 2008–09, and a couple of more mixed years starting in 2015 and persisting until 2019. Between 2000 and 2018, average real gross domestic product (GDP) growth was at close to 4%.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.empyrean-advisors.com/united-arab-emirates-country-analysis/|title=United Arab Emirates – Economic, Social, and Institutional Analysis – Empyrean Advisors|website=www.empyrean-advisors.com|access-date=27 September 2019|archive-date=3 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703122406/https://www.empyrean-advisors.com/united-arab-emirates-country-analysis/|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is the second largest economy in the [[Gulf Cooperation Council|GCC]] (after [[Saudi Arabia]]),<ref name="Economy2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?section=editorschoice&xfile=/data/editorschoice/2013/December/editorschoice_December12.xml |title=UAE's economy growth momentum set to pick up |work=[[Khaleej Times]] |date=27 December 2013 |access-date=5 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104225058/http://khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=%2Fdata%2Feditorschoice%2F2013%2FDecember%2Feditorschoice_December12.xml&section=editorschoice |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> with a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of US$414.2 billion, and a real GDP of 392.8 billion constant 2010 USD in 2018.<ref name=":2" /> Since its independence in 1971, the UAE's economy has grown by nearly 231 times to 1.45 trillion AED in 2013. The non-oil trade has grown to 1.2 trillion AED, a growth by around 28 times from 1981 to 2012.<ref name="Economy2013" /> Supported by the world's seventh-largest oil reserves and aided by prudent investments coupled with a resolute commitment to economic liberalism and strong governmental oversight, the UAE has witnessed its real GDP increase by more than three times over the past four decades. Presently, the UAE is among the wealthiest countries globally, with GDP per capita nearly 80% higher than the OECD average.<ref name=":2" />

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As impressive as economic growth has been in the UAE, the total population has increased from just around 550,000 in 1975 to close to 10 million in 2018. This growth is mainly due to the influx of foreign workers into the country, making the national population a minority. The UAE features a unique labour market system, in which residence in the UAE is conditional on stringent visa rules. This system is a major advantage in terms of macroeconomic stability, as labour supply adjusts quickly to demand throughout economic business cycles. This allows the government to keep unemployment in the country on a very low level of less than 3%, and it also gives the government more leeway in terms of macroeconomic policies – where other governments often need to make trade-offs between fighting unemployment and fighting inflation.<ref name=":2" />

Between 2014 and 2018, the accommodation and food, education, information and communication, arts and recreation, and real estate sectors overperformed in terms of growth, whereas the construction, logistics, professional services, public, and oil and gas sectors underperformed.<ref name=":2" />

As for competitiveness, in June 2024 it was reported that the UAE has moved up three place to the 7th place among the top 10 countries in the IMD World Competitiveness. This ranking is issued by the World Competitiveness Centre of the Institute for Management Development (IMD) in [[Switzerland]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2024 |title=UAE climbs to 7th place in IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2024 |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-climbs-to-7th-place-in-imd-world-competitiveness-ranking-2024-1.103169049 |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Business and finance ===
[[File:Abu dhabi skylines 2014.jpg|thumb|right|[[Abu Dhabi]] skyline]]

The UAE is ranked as the 26th best country in the world for doing business by the [[Doing Business Report|Doing Business 2017 Report]] published by the [[World Bank Group]].<ref name="Doing Business">{{cite web|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/rankings|title=Ranking of Economies|work=[[World Bank Group]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604005151/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2007/06/12/afx3810988.html|archive-date=4 June 2011}}</ref> The UAE are in the top ranks of several other global indices, such as the [[World Economic Forum]]'s (WEF), [[Global Competitiveness Index]] (GCI), the [[World Happiness Report]] (WHR), and 32nd in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite book |author=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=6 October 2024 |page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2}}</ref> The [[Economist Intelligence Unit]] (EIU) assigns the UAE rank two regionally in terms of business environment and 22 worldwide. From the 2018 Arab Youth Survey, the UAE emerges as the top Arab country in areas such as living, safety and security, economic opportunities, and starting a business, and as an example for other states to emulate.<ref name=":2" />

The weaker points remain the level of education across the UAE population, limitations in the financial and labour markets, barriers to trade and some regulations that hinder business dynamism. The major challenge for the country, though, remains translating investments and strong enabling conditions into innovation and creative outputs.<ref name=":2" />

UAE law does not allow trade unions to exist.<ref name="ituc" /> The right to [[collective bargaining]] and the [[right to strike]] are not recognised, and the Ministry of Labour has the power to force workers to go back to work. Migrant workers who participate in a strike can have their work permits cancelled and be deported.<ref name="ituc">{{cite web | url=http://survey.ituc-csi.org/United-Arab-Emirates.html?edition=336 | title=United Arab Emirates | work=ITUC | access-date=7 February 2013 | archive-date=1 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201231308/http://survey.ituc-csi.org/United-Arab-Emirates.html?edition=336 | url-status=live }}</ref> Consequently, there are very few anti-discrimination laws in relation to labour issues, with Emiratis – and other [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|GCC]] Arabs – getting preference in public sector jobs despite lesser credentials than competitors and lower motivation. In fact, just over eighty per cent of Emirati workers hold government posts, with many of the rest taking part in state-owned enterprises such as [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates airlines]] and [[Dubai Properties]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Krane |first=Jim |title=City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism |place=New York |publisher=St. Martin's Press |year=2009 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/cityofgolddubaid0000kran/page/267 267–270] |isbn=978-0-312-53574-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/cityofgolddubaid0000kran/page/267 }}</ref> [[Western world|Western]] states, including the United Kingdom, were also warned by the Emirati Trade Minister, [[Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi]], to keep politics separate from trade and the economy, as it dilutes the agreements' main objectives. In 2023, Al Zeyoudi indicated that these countries should "tone down" the human and workers' rights provisions in the trade deals, in order to gain greater market access and business opportunities.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Boscia |first1=Stefan |last2=Whale |first2=Sebastian |date=12 March 2023 |title=Stay silent on human rights to strike deals, Gulf states tell UK |language=en |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-trade-deal-human-rights-uae-minister-thani-bin-ahmed-al-zeyoudi-gulf-cooperation-council/ |access-date=13 June 2023 |archive-date=2 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102225119/https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-trade-deal-human-rights-uae-minister-thani-bin-ahmed-al-zeyoudi-gulf-cooperation-council/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The UAE's monetary policy stresses stability and predictability. The [[Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates|Central Bank of the UAE]] (CBUAE) keeps a peg to the US Dollar (USD) and moves interest rates close to the [[Federal funds rate|Federal Funds Rate]].<ref name=":2" />

According to [[Fitch Ratings]], the decline in property sector follows risks of progressively worsening the quality of assets in possession with UAE banks, leading the economy to rougher times ahead. Even though as compared to retail and property, UAE banks fared well. The higher US interest rates followed since 2016 – which the UAE currency complies to – have boosted profitability. However, the likelihood of plunging interest rates and increasing provisioning costs on bad loans, point to difficult times ahead for the [[economy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/3d537bae-cf30-11e9-b018-ca4456540ea6 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/3d537bae-cf30-11e9-b018-ca4456540ea6 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription|title= UAE banks prepare for rough ride ahead|access-date=18 October 2019|website=Financial Times|date= 18 October 2019|last1= Kerr|first1= Simeon}}</ref>

[[File:Dubai Marina Skyline.jpg|thumb|right|[[Dubai Marina]] skyline]]
Since 2015, economic growth has been more mixed due to a number of factors impacting both demand and supply. In 2017 and 2018, growth has been positive but on a low level of 0.8 and 1.4%, respectively. To support the economy, the government is currently following an expansionary fiscal policy. However, the effects of this policy are partially offset by monetary policy, which has been contractionary. If not for the fiscal stimulus in 2018, the UAE economy would probably have contracted in that year. One of the factors responsible for slower growth has been a credit crunch, which is due to, among other factors, higher interest rates. Government debt has remained on a low level, despite high deficits in a few recent years. Risks related to government debt remain low. Inflation has been picking up in 2017 and 2018. Contributing factors were the introduction of a [[Value-added tax|value added tax]] (VAT) of 5%<ref>{{Cite web |title=UAE VAT calculator – Tax Calculator |url=https://vat201.com/ |access-date=28 November 2022 |website=VAT 201 Vat Calculator |language=en |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319184229/https://vat201.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in 2018 as well as higher commodity prices. Despite the government's expansionary fiscal policy and a growing economy in 2018 and at the beginning of 2019, prices have been dropping in late 2018 and 2019 owing to oversupply in some sectors of importance to consumer prices.<ref name=":2" />

The UAE has an attractive tax system for companies and wealthy individuals, making it a preferred destination for companies seeking [[tax avoidance]]. The NGO [[Tax Justice Network]] places them in 2021 in the group of the ten largest [[tax havens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1254738/les-emirats-arabes-unis-dans-le-top-10-des-paradis-fiscaux-selon-une-ong.html|title=Les Emirats arabes unis dans le top 10 des paradis fiscaux, selon une ONG|date=9 March 2021|website=L'Orient-Le Jour|access-date=9 March 2021|archive-date=1 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301160419/https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1254738/les-emirats-arabes-unis-dans-le-top-10-des-paradis-fiscaux-selon-une-ong.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, the UAE's legal system fell under international scrutiny, as the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|members of the British Parliament]] opened an inquiry into how the foreign business executives are treated in the country, in case of accusations of breaking the law.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dudley |first=Dominic |date=21 June 2023 |title=UK Parliament Starts Inquiry Into UAE's 'Scandalous' Treatment Of Foreign Business Execs |language=en |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2023/06/21/uk-parliament-starts-inquiry-into-uaes-scandalous-treatment-of-foreign-business-execs/?sh=69733d7d4272 |access-date=27 June 2023 |archive-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627113854/https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2023/06/21/uk-parliament-starts-inquiry-into-uaes-scandalous-treatment-of-foreign-business-execs/?sh=69733d7d4272 |url-status=live }}</ref>

2024 will be the third consecutive year that the UAE holds first place as the world's leading wealth magnet, as 6,700 wealthy migrants are set to move to the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2024 |title=UAE remains world's leading millionaire magnet, attracting 6,700 wealthy migrants by 2024-end |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/uae-remains-worlds-leading-millionaire-magnet-attracting-6700-wealthy-migrants-by-2024-end-1.103170123 |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== VAT ===
The UAE government implemented [[value-added tax]] (VAT) in the country from 1 January 2018, at a standard rate of 5%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Value Added Tax (VAT) – The Official Portal of the UAE Government |url=https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/finance-and-investment/taxation/valueaddedtaxvat#:~:text=The%20rate%20of%20VAT%20is,provide%20high-quality%20public%20services. |access-date=28 November 2022 |website=u.ae |language=en |archive-date=23 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323183006/https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/finance-and-investment/taxation/valueaddedtaxvat#:~:text=The%20rate%20of%20VAT%20is,provide%20high-quality%20public%20services. |url-status=live }}</ref>
While the government may still adjust the exact arrangement of the VAT, it is not likely that any new taxes will be introduced in the foreseeable future. Additional taxes would destroy one of the UAE's main enticements for businesses to operate in the country and put a heavy burden on the economy.<ref name=":2" />

=== Energy ===
{{main|Energy in the United Arab Emirates}}
{{see also|Solar power in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:ADNOC Refining Ruwais Site-187.jpg|thumb|[[Ruwais Refinery]] is the fourth-largest single-site oil refinery in the world and the biggest in the Middle East.]]

Oil and gas production is an important part of the economy of the UAE. In 2018, the oil and gas sector contributed 26% to overall GDP. The UAE leadership initiated economic diversification efforts even before the oil price crash in the 1980s, resulting in the UAE having the most diversified economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at present. Although the oil and gas sector continues to be significant to the UAE economy, these efforts have yielded great resilience during periods of oil price fluctuations and economic turbulence. The introduction of the VAT has provided the government with an additional source of income – approximately 6% of the total revenue in 2018, or 27 billion [[United Arab Emirates dirham]] (AED) – affording its fiscal policy more independence from oil- and gas-related revenue, which constitutes about 36% of the total government revenue.

The [[Barakah nuclear power plant]] is the first on the Arabian peninsula and expected to reduce the carbon footprint of the country.<ref>Reuters. (19 January 2022). "Unit 2 of UAE's Barakah nuclear plant to start operations within months: ENEC CEO". [https://english.alarabiya.net/business/energy/2022/01/19/Unit-2-of-UAE-s-Barakah-nuclear-plant-to-start-operations-within-months-ENEC-CEO Al Arabiya website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122050656/https://english.alarabiya.net/business/energy/2022/01/19/Unit-2-of-UAE-s-Barakah-nuclear-plant-to-start-operations-within-months-ENEC-CEO |date=22 January 2022 }} Retrieved 22 January 2022.</ref>

The UAE has solar generation potential, and its energy policy has shifted due to the declining price of solar. The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy aims to provide 7 per cent of Dubai's energy from clean energy sources by 2020. It will increase this target to 25 per cent by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/dubai-ruler-wants-solar-panels-on-every-roof-by-2030|title = Dubai Ruler wants solar panels on every roof by 2030|date = 29 November 2015|access-date = 23 November 2023|archive-date = 2 June 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170602173058/http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/dubai-ruler-wants-solar-panels-on-every-roof-by-2030|url-status = live}}</ref>

In 2023, ADNOC and its CEO Sultan Al Jaber closed at least 20 business deals worth nearly $100 billion. The state oil firm was alleged of exploiting the UAE's COP28 presidency to pursue oil and gas deals. As per leaked documents, Al Jaber's team targeted 16 nations to lobby firms, delegates or ministers on such deals. ADNOC sought deals with companies from 12 countries, which included 11 of the 16 target nations. Al Jaber and senior ADNOC officials openly discussed deals. COP28 organising teams were excluded from meetings and replaced by ADNOC officials, leaving a closed group that made deals.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Galey|first=Patrick|title="I hope the younger generations can forgive us": State oil company pushed $100 billion of deals in UAE's year as COP28 host|url=https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/fossil-gas/i-hope-the-younger-generations-can-forgive-us-state-oil-company-pushed-100-billion-of-deals-in-uaes-year-as-cop28-host/|date=5 June 2024|website=Global Witness}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
{{Main|Tourism in the United Arab Emirates}}
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Tourism acts as a growth sector for the entire UAE economy. [[Dubai]] is the top tourism destination in the Middle East.<ref name="tdb" /> According to the annual MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, Dubai is the fifth most popular tourism destination in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/07/dubai-ranks-fifth-among-top-global-destinations-travellers/|title=Dubai Ranks Fifth Among Top Global Destinations For Travellers|work=Gulf Business|date=10 July 2014|access-date=4 February 2016|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017061651/http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/07/dubai-ranks-fifth-among-top-global-destinations-travellers/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dubai holds up to 66% share of the UAE's tourism economy, with [[Abu Dhabi]] having 16% and [[Sharjah]] 10%. Dubai welcomed 10 million tourists in 2013.

The UAE has the most advanced and developed infrastructure in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theprospectgroup.com/infrastructure-in-the-united-arab-emirates-uae-81876/|title=Infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)|work=The Prospect Group|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=4 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604115052/https://www.theprospectgroup.com/infrastructure-in-the-united-arab-emirates-uae-81876/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the 1980s, the UAE has been spending billions of dollars on infrastructure. These developments are particularly evident in the larger emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The northern emirates are rapidly following suit, providing major incentives for developers of residential and commercial property.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slideshare.net/arunkodiyeri/uae-yearbook-2009 |title=UAE yearbook 2009 |publisher=Slideshare.net |date=13 April 2009 |access-date=28 March 2024 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010154156/https://www.slideshare.net/arunkodiyeri/uae-yearbook-2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Topic: Tourism industry of the UAE">{{cite web|title=Topic: Tourism industry of the UAE|url=https://www.statista.com/topics/4643/tourism-industry-of-the-uae/|access-date=31 July 2021|website=Statista|language=en|archive-date=11 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711045433/https://www.statista.com/topics/4643/tourism-industry-of-the-uae/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The inbound tourism expenditure in the UAE for 2019 accounted for 118.6 per cent share of the outbound tourism expenditure.<ref name="Topic: Tourism industry of the UAE" /> Since 6 January 2020, tourist visas to the United Arab Emirates are valid for five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessliveme.com/uae/uae-offers-5-year-tourist-visa-as-neighbors-vie-for-visitors/|title=UAE Offers 5-Year Tourist Visa as Neighbors Vie for Visitors|access-date=7 January 2020|website=Business Live Middle East|date=7 January 2020|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809123314/https://www.businessliveme.com/uae/uae-offers-5-year-tourist-visa-as-neighbors-vie-for-visitors/|url-status=dead}}</ref> It has been projected that the travel and tourism industry will contribute about 280.6 billion United Arab Emirati dirham to the UAE's GDP by 2028.<ref name="Topic: Tourism industry of the UAE" />

The country's major tourist attraction includes the famous [[Burj Khalifa]] in [[Dubai]], the tallest tower in the world;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thearabianpost.com/burj-khalifa-is-dubais-most-visited-tourist-attraction/|title=Burj Khalifa is Dubai's most visited tourist attraction &#124; Arabian Post|date=9 February 2014|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=10 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110025422/https://thearabianpost.com/burj-khalifa-is-dubais-most-visited-tourist-attraction/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[The World (archipelago)|The World archipelago]] and [[Palm Jumeirah]] also in Dubai;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/world-islands|title=The World Islands|website=Atlas Obscura|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=17 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117223703/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/world-islands|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque]] and [[Yas Marina Circuit]] in [[Abu Dhabi]]; [[Al Hajar Mountains]] in [[Fujairah]]. The uniqueness of the country's natural desert life, especially with the [[Bedouins]], also facilitates the country's tourist industry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://connectwithnature.ae/knowledge-hub/habitat-desert|title=Habitat: Desert &#124; Connect With Nature|website=connectwithnature.ae|access-date=10 August 2020|archive-date=15 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815161729/https://connectwithnature.ae/knowledge-hub/habitat-desert|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in the United Arab Emirates}}

[[Dubai International Airport]] became the [[World's busiest airports by international passenger traffic|busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic]] in 2014, overtaking [[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11372616/Dubai-overtakes-Heathrow-to-become-worlds-busiest-airport.html|title = Dubai Overtakes Heathrow To Become World's Busiest|last = Anderson|first = Elizabeth|date = 27 January 2015|work = The Telegraph|access-date = 12 February 2015|archive-date = 1 March 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220301145021/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11372616/Dubai-overtakes-Heathrow-to-become-worlds-busiest-airport.html|url-status = live}}</ref> [[Abu Dhabi International Airport]] is the second-largest airport in the UAE. Due to the announced expansion of [[Al Maktoum International Airport|Al Maktoum Airport]] on 28 April 2024, Dubai International Airport will be shut down once Al Maktoum Airport expansion will be completed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kamel |first=Deena |date=29 April 2024 |title=Dubai to scrap dual airport operations once move to mega-hub at Al Maktoum is complete |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/aviation/2024/04/29/dubai-to-scrap-dual-airport-operations-once-move-to-mega-hub-at-al-maktoum-is-complete/ |access-date=1 May 2024 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Dubai Roads on 8 May 2008 Pict 2.jpg|thumb|[[E 311 road (United Arab Emirates)|E 311]], a major road in the UAE]]

[[Abu Dhabi]], [[Dubai]], [[Sharjah]], [[Ajman]], [[Umm Al Quwain]], and [[Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah|Ras Al Khaimah]] are connected by the [[E 11 road (United Arab Emirates)|E11 highway]], which is the longest road in the UAE. In Dubai, in addition to the [[Dubai Metro]], The [[Dubai Tram]] and [[Palm Jumeirah Monorail]] also connect specific parts of the city. There is also a bus, taxi, abra (traditional boat), and water taxi network run by RTA. [[Dubai Trolley|T1]], a double-decker tram system in [[Downtown Dubai]], were operational from 2015 to 2019.

Salik, meaning "open" or "clear", is Dubai's electronic toll collection system that was launched in July 2007 and is part of Dubai's traffic congestion management system. Each time one passes through a Salik tolling point, a toll is deducted from the drivers' prepaid toll account using advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. There are four Salik tolling points placed in strategic locations in Dubai: at [[Al Maktoum Bridge]], [[Al Garhoud Bridge]], and along [[Sheikh Zayed road|Sheikh Zayed Road]] at [[Al Safa]] and [[Al Barsha]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Salik|title=Home|url=https://www.salik.rta.ae/en|access-date=2 August 2021|website=Salik|language=en|archive-date=2 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802102556/https://www.salik.rta.ae/en|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:5018 Dubai Metro in Dubai UAE.png|thumb|A [[Dubai Metro]] train. Dubai Metro is the Arabian peninsula's first [[rapid transit]] system and was the world's longest driverless metro network until 2016.]]

A {{convert|1200|km|mi|abbr=on}} [[Rail transport in the United Arab Emirates|country-wide railway]] is under construction which will connect all the major cities and ports.<ref name="IRJMar12">{{cite news|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/freight/from-sand-to-sea.html|title=From sand to sea|work=International Railway Journal|date=21 March 2012|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=23 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323024811/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/freight/from-sand-to-sea.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Dubai Metro]] is the first urban train network in the [[Arabian Peninsula]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8247330.stm|title=Will metro change Dubai car culture?|date=11 September 2009|work=BBC News|access-date=11 October 2009|archive-date=16 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916041627/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8247330.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The major ports of the United Arab Emirates are [[Khalifa Port]], [[Zayed Port]], Port [[Jebel Ali]], [[Port Rashid]], [[Port Khalid Sharjah|Port Khalid]], [[Port Saeed]], and Port Khor Fakkan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/ports.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714124311/http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/ports.htm|archive-date=14 July 2008 |title=UAE Ports |publisher=Uae.gov.ae }}</ref> The Emirates are increasingly developing their logistics and ports in order to participate in trade between Europe and China or Africa. For this purpose, ports are being rapidly expanded and investments are being made in their technology.

The Emirates have historically been and currently still are part of the Maritime [[Silk Road]] that runs from the Chinese coast to the south via the southern tip of India to [[Mombasa]], from there through the Red Sea via the [[Suez Canal]] to the Mediterranean, there to the Upper Adriatic region and the northern Italian hub of [[Trieste]] with its rail connections to [[Central Europe]], Eastern Europe, and the [[North Sea]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2017/08/02/next-up-abu-dhabi-chinas-maritime-silk-road-breaks-into-the-middle-east/|title=Next Up On China's Maritime Silk Road: Abu Dhabi|first=Wade|last=Shepard|website=Forbes|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111001629/https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2017/08/02/next-up-abu-dhabi-chinas-maritime-silk-road-breaks-into-the-middle-east/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1418636/business-economy|title=China flags up UAE as Silk Road mega-hub with $300m port deal|date=10 December 2018|website=Arab News|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512055544/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1418636/business-economy|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Telecommunications ===
The United Arab Emirates is served by two [[telecommunications]] operators, [[Etisalat]] and [[Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company]] ("du"). Etisalat operated a [[monopoly]] until du launched mobile services in February 2007.<ref name=etisalatmon>{{cite web |url=http://opennet.net/sites/opennet.net/files/united_arab_emirates.pdf |title=United Arab Emirates |work=OpenNet Interactive |access-date=22 June 2009 |archive-date=9 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909194905/http://opennet.net/sites/opennet.net/files/united_arab_emirates.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Internet subscribers were expected to increase from 0.904 million in 2007 to 2.66 million in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://emiratesseo.com/uae-telecom-market-grows-competition/ |title=UAE telecom market grows with competition &#124; Mobile telecomms report |publisher=Ameinfo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214221608/http://emiratesseo.com/uae-telecom-market-grows-competition/ |archive-date=14 December 2014 }}</ref> The regulator, the [[Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (UAE)|Telecommunications Regulatory Authority]], mandates filtering websites for religious, political, and sexual content.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/uae-reports-high-website-censorship |title=UAE reports high website censorship |work=The National Newspaper |date=12 June 2009 |access-date=1 January 2012 |archive-date=1 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901201621/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/uae-reports-high-website-censorship |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[5G]] wireless services were installed nationwide in 2019 through a partnership with [[Huawei]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/technology/uae-ready-for-fast-lane-with-5g---|title=UAE ready for fast lane with 5G in 2019|author=Khaleej Times|date=17 February 2019|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330041759/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/technology/uae-ready-for-fast-lane-with-5g---|url-status=live}}</ref>