The United Arab Emirates: The twenty-first century beckons

The United Arab Emirates is quickly making its presence known on the world stage; the country is shifting away from its dependence on oil and diversifying into new business sectors such as real estate, tourism, world‐class sporting events, finance, and construction. Development supported and encouraged by government, economic policy reforms, streamlined foreign investment regulations, and the multicultural lifestyle afforded to nationals and expatriates are contributing to exemplary growth. Despite uncertainty in the regional political situation, the country is stable and at low risk. In sum, the United Arab Emirates appears intent on attracting businesses from many parts of the world, now and throughout the twenty‐first century. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.