Right next to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates are considered as an easy point of entry to the other countries in this area. The International Cosmetics Congress organized by Business France and Cosmed in December 2015 were an opportunity to make an update on what should be known before exporting cosmetics to this State.
It is Isabelle Mario, of Business France’s regional offices, who presented the market in this area. The United Arab Emirates are a federal country comprising seven emirates: Abu Dabi, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm al Qaiwain.
It counts less than ten million inhabitants, half of them living in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Its population is quite disparate, as 90 nationalities are represented and natives are not a majority: it is the Asian community that is the largest, with 61% of inhabitants.
Dubai also welcomes 13 million visitors and tourists every year.
An importing market
Although it is quite small, the country is still the 19
th
world importer of goods, and the annual growth of imports reaches about 20%, on average. These statistics can be explained by the limited industrial heritage of the area and the constant increase in the number of homes with high incomes.
The best growth drivers are sectors like equipment, energy, information, the environment, infrastructures, building, tourism, luxury, and health.
The Federation counts many free zones to make foreign investments easier, and customs duties are harmonized (5%). It should be noted that an exemption from these duties and other taxes is applied …
