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Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Value Added Tax
➤ VAT in Abu Dhabi is 5 percent. Foreign exhibitors can recover VAT charges, although the process may take up to five months to complete.
➤ Abu Dhabi participates in the ATA Carnet program.
Voltage
➤ Abu Dhabi uses 220 volts. Plug adaptors are reasonably priced in local stores.
Cellphones
➤ U.S. phones with international service plans should work in Abu Dhabi.
➤ Prepaid SIM cards from network providers Etisalat and Du are available at
the airport and in many shopping malls. Visitors
will need to show their passports and visa stamps to purchase SIM cards.
Shipping
➤ Shipping to Abu Dhabi via airfreight can take up to five days, and ocean freight can take
up to eight weeks.
➤ To allow
adequate time for port
handling, customs, etc., ocean freight should arrive at least eight working days prior to its show delivery date. Airfreight shipments should arrive at least five days in advance.
Garbage
➤ Basic cleaning
services can be ordered before the show through the show manager/organizer.
➤ Exhibit builders are responsible for disposal of all trash generated during installation and dismantle.
➤ If you choose to use a build-and-burn exhibit, you and your exhibit house are responsible for dismantling and disposing of it.
Payments
➤ Exhibitors must prepay for most on-site show services.
➤ Payments are typically made via bank transfers, although credit cards are often accepted on site for a small fee.
➤ Most exhibit houses require a 50-percent down payment. However, some local suppliers may be willing to negotiate terms.
Greetings and Culture
➤ Generally speaking, formal English greetings are
appropriate for business conversations in Abu Dhabi.
➤ While Arabs often kiss on the cheek when meeting, foreigners should simply shake hands.
➤ Common Arab greetings include, "As-salaam alaykum" ("Peace be upon you"), "Sabaah al-khayr" ("Good morning"), and "Masaa al-khayr" ("Good evening").
Hospitality
➤ Small booths are not generally expected to provide snacks or beverages to visitors. Most hospitality rooms where attendees are invited to enjoy food and refreshments are found in exhibits larger than 200 square feet.
➤ Arab attendees tend to prefer casually meeting in a company's booth and then setting up subsequent conversations in another location such as a private meeting room or a restaurant.
➤ Take care when hiring local staffers to perform hospitality functions, as some may object to serving visitors.
➤ Water, fruit juices, and Arabian coffee are common beverages served in exhibits. Typical snacks include pastries, dates, and dried fruits.
➤ It is rare for an exhibitor to serve alcohol on the trade show floor. Be sure to consult with show management in advance.
Language
➤ Arabic is the official
language of Abu Dhabi, but most business professionals speak English. Still, it is advisable to have an Arabic translator on hand in your exhibit.
➤ Signage does not need to be translated into Arabic, but collateral literature should be available in both English and Arabic. However, it is acceptable to have business cards printed in only English.
Staff Attire
➤ Men should generally wear suits at trade shows in the United Arab Emirates.
➤ Women should dress conservatively and avoid revealing clothing.
➤ Tattoos and piercings should be covered.
Venues and Resources
➤ Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC, www.adnec.ae) consists of 12 halls with more than 500,000 square feet of exhibit space and a 144,000-square-foot outdoor plaza. The soaring Andaz Capital Gate Hotel is just steps away.
➤ The Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau ( www.tcaabudhabi.ea) can connect exhibitors and event planners with local resources and suppliers.
Installation and Dismantle
➤ Labor is generally charged by the job rather than the hour, and crews will work well into the night if allowed by the venue and show management.
➤ Exhibitors should work through an exhibit house to find local labor crews. Crews cannot always be ordered through show services, and experienced laborers tend to work
directly for exhibit houses.
➤ Electrical service can
be ordered through the venue, and information is usually found in the show's exhibitor manual.
➤ There is no drayage in Abu Dhabi, but booth builders may hire handling agents for large loads of exhibit materials.
➤ Booth plans should be submitted to the show organizer in advance for safety review and approval.
➤ The venue and show organizer are responsible for enforcing fire and electrical safety regulations.
General Facts and Tips
➤ Exhibitors should understand that many observant Muslims set aside time for prayer during exhibiting hours.
➤ Arab attendees tend to focus on building relationships with potential business partners. So take time to talk and get to know attendees, and don't use the comparably rushed lead-gathering approach common at U.S. shows.
➤ Reserve hotel rooms far in advance because accommodations often fill up quickly during major international events.
➤ Abu Dhabi is extremely hot in the summer – May through September – and sandstorms are common. Bring lightweight clothing and sunglasses.
➤ Most taxi drivers in Abu Dhabi speak English, but it is a good idea to also have the name and address of your hotel, the show venue, etc. written in Arabic.
➤ Foreign exhibitors should take extreme care when building exhibits inspired by Arab art and architecture to avoid offending locals. And due to social conventions in Abu Dhabi, you should not take photos of women unless they give you permission.
SOURCES
Naji El Haddad, regional manager, Middle East and Africa, UFI, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Emmanuel Pitchelu, director, Expo Services International (ESI), Roissey en France, France; Waki Rais, executive director, exhibitions, FILS International Freight and Logistic Services LLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, VENUE PHOTO: 2P2PLAY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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