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Market Data

To provide German companies with a well-founded overview of business opportunities and market conditions in the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf region, we regularly offer up-to-date market studies, industry reports, and GTAI publications. These reports deliver valuable insights on economic trends, legal frameworks, free trade zones, import regulations, and sector-specific developments.

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Canvas / AHK

Market Entry into the United Arab Emirates: Opportunities for German Companies

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a dynamic business location with a strategic position between Asia, Europe, and Africa. For German companies, the UAE offers attractive conditions for exports, investments, and regional expansion.

Economic Indicators and Structure

The UAE has a diversified gross domestic product (GDP) composed of various sectors. While Abu Dhabi contributes around 60 percent of the GDP, Dubai leads in trade, tourism, and logistics. The country’s economic policy aims to further reduce its reliance on the oil sector and promote industries such as renewable energy, technology, and services.

Foreign Trade and German Exports

The UAE is one of Germany’s most important trading partners in the Middle East. In 2024, German exports to the UAE rose by 12 percent to reach 7 billion euros. Key export goods include machinery, vehicles, and chemical products. As a trading hub for the entire Gulf region, the UAE offers an ideal base for export activities.

Logistics Hub with Global Connectivity

With world-class infrastructure, including Jebel Ali Port and Dubai International Airport, the UAE serves as a globally significant logistics center. In the World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index, the UAE ranked 7th out of 139 countries, highlighting the country’s efficiency and quality in logistics services.

Location Advantages: Free Zones and Business Setup

The UAE offers numerous Free Zones that allow foreign investors 100 percent ownership, tax exemptions, and simplified company formation processes. Alternatively, the Mainland model provides direct access to the local market. In recent years, legal frameworks have been modernized to further facilitate foreign investment.

Economic Opportunities in the Wider AHK Target Markets

In addition to the United Arab Emirates, countries such as Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, and Pakistan offer attractive prospects for German companies looking to expand their presence in the region. These countries are pursuing ambitious development strategies and are increasingly investing in the diversification of their economies.

Irak

Iraq

Iraq is characterized by significant cultural, political, and economic diversity. The country is essentially divided into two regions: Central Iraq, with the capital Baghdad, and the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in the north, with Erbil as a economically stable location. Both regions have distinct legal and administrative frameworks, which international companies can strategically leverage for their operations.
Kuwait Skyline

Kuwait

Kuwait is located in the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula and borders the Arabian Gulf. The country holds around 8% of the world's oil reserves and is considered one of the wealthiest nations in the region in terms of per capita income. Its strategically advantageous location between Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran makes Kuwait a key hub for regional trade. The capital, Kuwait City, serves as the country's economic, political, and cultural center, hosting numerous ministries, international companies, and financial institutions.
Islamabad

Pakistan

Pakistan is located at one of the world's most significant geopolitical crossroads: between South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Its direct access to the Arabian Sea and shared borders with China, Afghanistan, Iran, and India position the country as a potential hub for regional trade and infrastructure projects. Initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are particularly enhancing economic integration and reinforcing Pakistan’s role as a logistical link in the region. Despite ongoing challenges, the government is increasingly investing in economic diversification, digitalization, and energy supply to sustainably improve the investment climate.
Katar

Qatar

Over the past decades, Qatar has transformed from an agriculture-based nation into a modern economic power. While oil and gas continue to play a central role, the country is actively pursuing a strategy to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and position itself as an attractive destination for international investment. At the heart of the Qatari government’s agenda are economic diversification, the promotion of the private sector, and strategic investments aimed at paving the way for sustainable prosperity. Thanks to its stable political environment, open market economy, and far-reaching reforms in recent years, Qatar is now regarded as a highly promising destination for international investors.
Oman

Oman

Oman is located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula and is increasingly emerging as an attractive target market for foreign investors. Its strategic location on the Arabian Sea, stable political leadership, business-friendly environment, and targeted reform programs under the Oman Vision 2040 make the Sultanate a reliable partner in the region.

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