Hadef & Partners Welcome to Dubai

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WELCOME TO DUBAI!

INFORMATION FOR IBA 2011 VISITORS

HADEF & PARTNERS12th Floor, Blue TowerKhalifa StreetPO Box 3727Abu Dhabi, UAE

T +971 2 627 6622F +971 2 627 6556

HADEF & PARTNERSEmaar Square, Building 3, Level 5,Downtown Burj Dubai,PO Box 37172Dubai, UAE

T +971 4 429 2999F +971 4 429 2888


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OUTLINEHadef & Partners is pleased to provide you with this concise guide to Dubai. The informationin th is booklet is designed to help you prepare for the IBA 2011 Annual Conference being heldin Dubai from 30 October to 4 November 2011. The information is correct as at 23 November2010. We recommend you check particulars directly with hotels, venues, operators beforemaking bookings.

WELCOME TO DUBAI ......................................................................................................................... 2ARRIVING IN DUBAI........................................................................................................................ 2ORIENTATION ................................................................................................................................. 2TRANSPORT.................................................................................................................................... 3CLIMATE .......................................................................................................................................... 3CULTURE ......................................................................................................................................... 4CUSTOMS AND ETIQUETTE.......................................................................................................... 4WHAT TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME............................................................................................ 5HOTELS............................................................................................................................................ 6USEFUL LINKS................................................................................................................................ 8WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO DUBAI............................................................ 9


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WELCOME TO DUBAI

One of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai is the second

largest emirate and is located on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf.

The official weekend in the UAE is Friday and Saturday. Although Friday is the Islamic holy day,most venues, restaurants and stores operate as normal. The UAE is four hours ahead of GMT.

ARRIVING IN DUBAI

If you fly into Dubai on an international flight,you will arrive at one of the three terminals ofDubai International Airport, one of the worldsbusiest airports. You do not need to pre-arrangea transfer to your hotel as taxis are safe and

plentiful. A taxi fare from the airport to your hotelcan cost between 30 Dirhams and 80 Dirhamsdepending on where you are staying. Abu DhabiInternational Airport is also an option as it is notfar from Dubai.

You may require a visa to enter the UAE.However, GCC citizens do not require visas andcertain foreign residents of the GCC may obtaina visa upon arrival. Moreover, nationals withpassports issued by the following countries donot require a visa to enter the UAE and willinstead receive a tourist visa upon arrival:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei,Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,J apan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia,Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, SanMarino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain,Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, UnitedStates of America, Vatican. We recommend youcheck specific visa requirements with your localauthorities before travelling.

If you are carrying prescription medication, it isa good idea to obtain a letter from your

physician and a medical report before you arrivein Dubai. Some drugs such as codeine areprohibited and will not only be confiscated butmay subject the carrier to punishment. Furtherinformation can be found here.

You can exchange your currency into the localcurrency, the UAE Dirham, at an exchangefacility at the airport. The Dirham is pegged tothe US dollar at 3.67. Otherwise, all major creditcards are accepted throughout Dubai and ATMsare located in shopping centres, hotels andbusiness areas.

ORIENTATION

Dubai can be roughly split into three main areaswhich are bordered by the coast and desert: OldDubai the immediate left and right side ofDubai Creek known as Bur Dubai and Deirarespectively; Downtown Dubai the central

business district comprising businesses locatedbetween Burj Khalifa and the World TradeCentre; and New Dubai, in the southern part ofDubai generally populated predominantly bybeach hotels, Dubai Marina and a range ofexpatriate housing areas. J oining these threeareas is a neatly planned network of roads withthe main freeway known as Sheikh Zayed Road(SZR) comprising of 12 lanes. The Dubai Metrogenerally runs parallel to SZR.

The Dubai International Convention andExhibition Centre (Convention Centre)(where

the IBA Conference is being held) as well asHadef & Partners offices are located in theDowntown Dubai area, next to SZR.


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TRANSPORT

The most popular method of travel in Dubai is the car. Taxis can be found outside hotels, shopping areasor flagged down in the street and are relatively inexpensive. All public taxis are metered. Private taxis areavailable at most hotels and these are slightly more expensive. The recently opened Dubai Metro is alsoproving popular and runs from the airport all the way through Dubai, stopping at many of the majorattractions and shopping malls, especially those down SZR. There is a stop directly outside theConvention Centre and the offices of Hadef & Partners are just three stops away.

CLIMATE

Dubai is situated on a coastal strip bordered by desert and has a hot arid climate. During your visit inearly November, expect sunny days with temperatures of an average of 30C - 35C and cool to warmevenings ranging from 20C to 25C. Humidity is generally low in this time of year. November is a

fantastic time of year in Dubai the nights are cooling down but the days are still warm.


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CULTURE

Dubai is a multicultural melting pot of nationalities. While Islamic and Arabicculture is evident in the architecture, music, attire and cuisine, more than 85%of Dubais population is made up of non-UAE nationals, and hence culturalinfluences from over 180 nationalities have had a marked influence. The

official language of the UAE is Arabic, and English is widely spoken. Mostbusiness is conducted in English. Signage is in both languages.

CUSTOMS AND ETIQUETTE

Islam is the official religion of the UAE, however, Dubai is a tourist destinationand is considered to be a liberal society, mixing cultural influences fromaround the world.

It is common to see people wearing western clothes such as t-shirts, tanktops, shorts, skirts, dresses, and swimwear around hotels, pools, certain

suburban areas and at the beach. However, everyone is expected to dressrespectfully when in public although it is not necessary for women to coverlegs, arms or the face and/or hair. When in public places such as malls,wearing revealing clothing (for example beach wear, very short shorts andsee-through items) is not recommended. Some venues such as majorshopping malls have this written into dress code policies which are displayedat each entry point. Because the air-conditioning in public places tends to bequite cool, visitors are advised to bring a light cardigan or shawl.

National dress in the UAE consists of the kandura for men (a white ankle-length shirt) and the abaya (a black over-garment) for women. Emiratis weartheir national dress proudly when outside of the home and generally whenconducting business. Although for many visitors this may seem novel, staring

is considered impolite and taking photos of women in national dress is notpermitted unless you obtain their prior permission.

Mixing of men and women in public is normal. However, you may find that insome traditional offices or places, such as hospitals, separate waiting roomsfor men and women exist. When dealing with an Emirati woman (or anywoman wearing an abaya), if you are male, do not extend your hand to shakeher hand unless she offers first. Women do not have to follow this rule.

Public displays of affection should be minimised. However, a husband andwife holding hands is permissible. Swearing in public is against the law.

Alcohol is available at all bars and most restaurants in Dubai (within hotels

and clubs due to licensing laws) but drinking in public (such as at the publicbeach) is forbidden and public intoxication is against the law.

Tipping practices are similar to most parts of the world. Some restaurants(usually those attached to hotels) charge a service charge.


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WHAT TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME

Whether you would like to take a trip up theworlds tallest building, Burj Khalifa whichneighbours the offices of Hadef & Partners, enjoysome traditional Arabic entertainment on a desert

safari or try your hand at snow-boarding at SkiDubai, Dubai offers plenty of entertainmentoptions.

Dubai has undergone a huge transformation in thepast six years. If you like architecture modernand traditional Arabic or would like an overviewof Dubai, we recommend you take an open bustour with one of the tour operators.

For those wishing to simply relax and enjoy thesunshine, a round of golf at one of Dubais award-winning golf courses or a trip to the beach couldbe in order. There are many beaches in Dubai,including public beaches (with minimal facilities)and private beach clubs at the beach hotels with afull range of resort facilities and activities whichcan be accessed. If you are staying at a hotel withbeach facilities, you can, of course, use theprivate beach. If you are not staying at a beachhotel, you can pay a day rate to use the facilities.

Home to over 70 shopping malls, as well asnumerous traditional souks, Dubai has beencalled the shopping capital of the Middle East.We recommend a visit to the Dubai Mall, next toHadef & Partners offices, the largest mall in theMiddle East, to see the aquarium, underwater zooor go ice skating. Dubai Mall is home to all of theworlds major brands, take a map when you arrivefrom the concierge as this place is big.

Another popular shopping destination is the Mallof the Emirates which is further down SZR,towards New Dubai. At Mall of the Emirates, youwill find the famous Ski Dubai and once again amyriad of stores and food outlets to explore.

For a more traditional shopping experience, thereare a number of purpose built souks around thecity including the Madinat which is locatedadjacent to the Jumeirah Group beach properties,Souk Al Bahar in Downtown Dubai, near DubaiMall or for the really traditional experience, visitorscan venture into Bur Dubai for the textile andspice souk which adjoins historical Bastakia. A tripon an abra for one Dirham will take you acrossDubai Creek to Deira, where you will find the GoldSouk.

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for CulturalUnderstanding offers tours of the beautifulJ umeirah Mosque and an opportunity for visitorsto learn more about Islam and the Arabic culture.

For more information on traditional experiences inDubai, click here.

The Atlantis Hotel has an aquarium and a waterpark offering a full range of water slides and ridesif you enjoy more energetic pursuits. There is alsoa dolphin encounter experience package thatenables you to swim with dolphins.

Many tour operators operate desert wadi anddune bashing tours that may include a culturalshow, dinner and drinks in the desert. You caneven try riding on a camel! The colours of thedesert and the shifting of the sand is a uniqueexperience and not to be missed. Read theTimeOut Dubai adventure guide for further information.

To take in the scale and splendour of Dubai, aSeawings flightor an Aerogulf helicopter tourallows you to experience Dubai from the sky.Highlights include flying over The Palm, TheWorld, next to the iconic Burj Al Arab and BurjKhalifa.

For wildlife enthusiasts, the Ras Al Khor WildlifeSanctuary is one of the few urban protected areasin the world and home to over 260 species offauna and 47 species of flora.

Eating out in Dubai is an institution and many topchefs have opened flagship restaurants in the city.Most international cuisines are available.TimeOut Dubai provides a comprehensive list ofrestaurants and reviews.

If you intend on staying for a longer period thenwe recommend a visit to Abu Dhabi where youcan visit a range of attractions including theSheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island (theFormula 1 Circuit) and the Ferrari WorldAmusement park. Fujairah is located on the

eastern coast of the UAE, facing the Indian Oceanand offers good diving and beaches.


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HOTELS

Dubai has an array of accommodation options available to visitors and is famed for its first-class hotels.To help you decide where to stay, we have prepared a map (below) showing a selection of hotels in closeproximity to the Convention Centre.

HOTEL LOCATIONS

Walking distanceThe Ibis, Novotel and the Trade Centre Hotel Apartments form part of the wider Convention Centrecomplex and so are the most conveniently located, however, they are not five star luxury hotels. The

Fairmont Hotel is located on the other side of SZR and a pedestrian bridge immediately provides you withimmediate access to the Convention Centre. The J umeirah Emirates Towers is also walk-able on a nicemorning but we recommend the three minute taxi ride in the heat of the day. The Monarch Hotel is in asimilar category if you walk down to the Fairmont and then across the pedestrian bridge. The RitzCarlton, Dubai International Financial Centre will be opening in early 2011.

Five minute taxi rideThe Address Hotel Downtown Dubai, the Address Dubai Mall, Armani Hotel, the Palace and the Al Manzilare all conveniently located in the Downtown Dubai area and near Hadef & Partners offices. They haveeasy access to the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa and the Dancing Fountains. Therefore, although they area five minute taxi ride they benefit from easy access to amenities, restaurants and cafes. The RoseReyhaan (alcohol free), the Dusit Thani and the Al Murooj Rotana are also conveniently located on thesame side of SZR as the Convention Centre.


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Five to seven minute taxi rideThe Shangri-la, the Towers Rotana and the Chelsea Hotel & Apartments are located on the opposite sideof SZR so they are a slightly longer taxi ride but still very conveniently located. If you prefer to walk, it willtake you about 10 to 15 minutes to walk from any of these hotels to the Convention Centre.

Hotels on the Metro Rail l inks

The Kempinski Hotel, adjoining the Mall of the Emirates, is conveniently located on the Metro.

Beach hotelsIf you want to stay by the beach then these hotels are generally a 20 30 minute taxi ride from theConvention Centre. We suggest you look into the Al Qasr and Mina Salam hotels which form part of theMadinat J umeirah complex, the J umeirah Beach Hotel, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, One & Only RoyalMirage and the Ritz Carlton.

Desert hotelsBeyond your business visit, you may wish to arrange a night or two at a luxury dessert resort. There are anumber of such five star properties such as Al Maha, J umeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa,Banyan Tree Al Wadi in Ras Al Khaimah and the Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Resort & Spa Abu Dhabi.


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USEFUL LINKS

HOTELSwww.themonarchdubai.comwww.rotana.comwww.shangri-la.com

www.fairmont.com/dubaiwww.dusit.com/hotels/uae/dubaiwww.armanihotels.comwww.jumeirah.comwww.theaddress.com/en/hotel/the-palace-old-townwww.theaddress.com/en/hotel/downtown-burj-dubai-1-2www.theaddress.com/en/hotel/dubai-mall-1-1www.crowneplaza.comwww.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-3572-ibis-world-trade-centre-dubai/index.shtmlwww.novotel.com/gb/hotel-5261-novotel-world-trade-centre-dubai/index.shtmlwww.almanzilhotel.comwww.chelseatowerdubai.comwww.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/DubaiIfc/Default.htm

DUBAI CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTREwww.dwtc.com

TRANSPORTwww.rta.ae

SHOPPING & ENTERTAINMENTwww.thedubaimall.comwww.malloftheemirates.comwww.skidxb.comwww.burjkhalifa.aewww.desertsafaridubai.comwww.arabiahorizons.com/Special-Interest-Tourswww.dubai-online.com/attractions/smccu.htmwww.yasmarinacircuit.comwww.ferrariworldabudhabi.comwww.timeoutdubai.com

HADEF & PARTNERSHadef & Partners is a full-service business law firm which was founded in 1980 by Dr Hadef Al Dhahiri,the current UAE Minister of J ustice, and is among the oldest and largest law firms in the UAE, with officesin Abu Dhabi and Dubai. English, Arabic and most other leading business languages are spoken bymembers of our team.

Our 80 lawyers were predominantly educated and have practised in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia,New Zealand and South Africa, as well as a range of Middle Eastern jurisdictions. Our large team ofadvocates have rights of audience in all levels of UAE courts and tribunals. Our website,www.hadefpartners.com contains further information about our firm.


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WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO DUBAI

MICHAEL LUNJEVICHPARTNERHEAD OF REAL ESTATE & [email protected]

SADIQ JAFARMANAGING [email protected]

RICHARD BRIGGSEXECUTIVE PARTNERHEAD OF DISPUTE [email protected]

OMAR AL SHAIKHPARTNERHEAD OF COURT [email protected]

SAMEER HUDAPARTNERHEAD OF [email protected]

ABDULRAHMAN JUMAPARTNERDEPUTY HEAD OF [email protected]

ERIK MUTHOWPARTNERHEAD OF MARITIME, TRANSPORT & [email protected]

ALAN RODGERSPARTNER

HEAD OF BANKING & [email protected]


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HADEF & PARTNERSEmaar Square, Building 3, Level 5,Downtown Burj Dubai,

PO Box 37172Dubai, UAE

T +971 4 429 2999F +971 4 429 2888

HADEF & PARTNERS

12th Floor, Blue TowerKhalifa StreetPO Box 3727Abu Dhabi, UAE

T +971 2 627 6622F +971 2 627 6556

Documents

Hadef & Partners Welcome to Dubai