Reply #18: There are plenty more investor friendly

[DrGonzoLives]

True, they are opening up somewhat, but it's still virtually impossible for a foreigner (80-85% of UAE's population) to own land. Then there are these laws:

Source: U.S. State Department

The Federal Companies Law applies to all commercial companies established in the UAE and to branch offices of foreign companies operating in the UAE. Companies established in the UAE are required to have a minimum of 51 percent UAE national ownership. However, profits may be apportioned differently. Branch offices of foreign companies are required to have a national agent unless the foreign company has established its office pursuant to an agreement with the federal or an emirate government. All general partnership interest must be owned by UAE nationals. Foreign shareholders may hold up to a 49 percent interest in limited liability companies.

The Commercial Agencies Law requires that foreign principals distribute their products in the UAE only through exclusive commercial agents that are either UAE nationals or companies wholly owned by UAE nationals. The foreign principal can appoint one agent for the entire UAE or for a particular emirate or group of emirates. The law provides that an agent may be terminated only by mutual agreement of the foreign principal and the local agent, notwithstanding the expiration of the term of the agency agreement.

The Federal Industry Law stipulates that industrial projects must have 51 percent UAE national ownership. The law also requires that projects either be managed by a UAE national or have a board of directors with a majority of UAE nationals. Exemptions from the law are provided for projects related to extraction and refining of oil, natural gas, and other raw materials. Additionally, projects with a small capital investment or special projects governed by special laws or agreements are exempt from the industry law.

The Government Tenders Law stipulates that a supplier, contractor, or tenderer with respect to federal projects must either be a UAE national or a company in which UAE nationals own at least 51 percent of the share capital or foreign entities represented by a UAE distributor or agent. Foreign companies wishing to bid for a federal project must, therefore, enter into a joint venture or agency arrangement with a UAE national or company. Federal tenders must accompany a bid bond in the form of an unconditional bank bond guarantee for 5 percent of the value of the bid. If goods and services are not available locally then UAE federal government entities often tender internationally.

In other words, there is no way in hell any company outside of the UAE would be able to do what Dubai Ports wanted to do in the U.S. If we are going to commit ourselves to fair trade, that means that countries we do business with must play by the same rules, which the UAE does not.