UAE Country Commercial Guide 2012 - Export.gov

On March 15, 2004, the United States signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA)
with the United Arab Emirates to provide a formal framework for dialogue on economic reform and
trade liberalization. TIFAs promote the establishment of legal protection for investors, improvements
in intellectual property right protection, more transparent and efficient customs procedures, and
greater transparency in government and commercial regulations. Through this process, the United
States Government can identify potential partners for further trade cooperation, such as free trade
agreements (FTA).
The United States began negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the UAE in March 2005. In early
2007, the United States and the UAE announced that they would not be able to complete FTA
negotiations under the existing time frame for trade promotion authority, but that both sides remain
committed to completing FTA negotiations at a later date. No further FTA negotiations have taken
place. In 2012, the United States and United Arab Emirates began the U.S.–U.A.E. Economic Policy
Dialogue, which is expected to enhance TIFA, and provide an additional platform to address irritants
to the bilateral trading relationship.
Web Resources Return to top
US Embassy in Abu Dhabi: http://uae.usembassy.gov/
US Consulate in Dubai: http://dubai.usconsulate.gov/
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa
United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA): http://www.esma.ae
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