Vice Versa is designed to help you make the most of your stay. If you are visiting Dubai on a business trip, use the Vice Versa card and Premium Guide to help you find the best places to invite business partners and advise you on where and how to spend your free time. Your Vice Versa card will help you make money to spend on glifts, shopping and leisure.
We have included some ‘insider’ information you might find useful below:
Update on the UAE Economy
As you might expect, oil and gas are significant contributors to the UAE’s healthy and booming economy, though the government’s strategy has been to diversify the economy and reduce the dependence on oil. Chemicals, aluminium and steel production are new industries making an important contribution to the GDP – mostly centred in the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The UAE’s GDP grew to US$ +190 billion in 2007 and is expected to exceed US$ 220 billion by the end of 2008.
Doing business in Dubai
The UAE’s business culture is warm and welcoming , so expect to be well looked after on a business visit to Dubai – you may spend long evenings at dinner or in discussion. It is essential to make appointments beforehand, and international business is generally conducted in English. However, learning a few words of Arabic will be appreciated by your hosts.
Greetings: As’salam Alaikoom
Thank you: Shokran
Hello/ welcome: Marhaba/ ahalan wasahlan
How are you/ fine: Kif halak/ al hamdu lillah
Yes/no: Na’am/ la
Please: Min Fadlak
Business hours
The official weekend is Friday and Saturday. Friday is the religious day, which means that Government offices are open from 7.30am to 2.30pm Sunday to Thursday whilst most private companies operate international business hours Sunday to Thursday also. Banks are generally open from 8am to 1pm, closed Fridays.
During the holy month of Ramadan, public and government offices will work from 9am to 2pm, subject to directives from the Dubai Ministry, while most private companies may operate from 8am to 4pm. Banks may continue working their normal business hours.
Conferences & Exhibitions
Some interesting exhibitions and events in the following months are:
| Date | Exhibitions and Events | Venue |
| 09 - 12 November 2008 | Arabal Conference & Exhibition | Grand Hyatt |
| 17 - 20 November 2008 | Telecom World Middle East | Al Bustan Rotana |
| 11 - 15 November 2008 | Dubai International Jewellery Week Exhibition | Dubai International Concvention & Exhibition Centre |
| 16 - 18 November 2008 | 6th Middle East Natural & Organic Products Expo | Dubai International Concvention & Exhibition Centre |
Visitors are recommended to keep a record of the following numbers in case of an emergency:
| Useful telephone numbers | |
| Vice Versa customer hotline | 04 364 2999 Daily - 9am – 6pm |
| Police | 999 |
| Ambulance | 998/999 |
| Fire | 997 |
| Directory Inquiries | 181 |
| Coastguard | 04 3450520 |
| American Hospital | 04 336 7777 |
| 24 hour Pharmacy | 04 223 2323 |
