WELCOME TO DUBAI!

INFORMATION FOR IBA 2011 VISITORS

HADEF & PARTNERS 12th Floor, Blue Tower Khalifa Street PO Box 3727 Abu Dhabi, UAE T +971 2 627 6622 F +971 2 627 6556

HADEF & PARTNERS Emaar Square, Building 3, Level 5, Downtown Burj Dubai, PO Box 37172 Dubai, UAE T +971 4 429 2999 F +971 4 429 2888

OUTLINE
Hadef & Partners is pleased to provide you with this concise guide to Dubai. The information in this booklet is designed to help you prepare for the IBA 2011 Annual Conference being held in Dubai from 30 October to 4 November 2011. The information is correct as at 23 November 2010. We recommend you check particulars directly with hotels, venues, operators before making bookings.

WELCOME TO DUBAI ......................................................................................................................... 2 ARRIVING IN DUBAI........................................................................................................................ 2 ORIENTATION ................................................................................................................................. 2 TRANSPORT.................................................................................................................................... 3 CLIMATE .......................................................................................................................................... 3 CULTURE ......................................................................................................................................... 4 CUSTOMS AND ETIQUETTE .......................................................................................................... 4 WHAT TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME............................................................................................ 5 HOTELS............................................................................................................................................ 6 USEFUL LINKS ................................................................................................................................ 8 WE 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 of Dubai International Airport, one of the worlds busiest airports. You do not need to pre-arrange a transfer to your hotel as taxis are safe and plentiful. A taxi fare from the airport to your hotel can cost between 30 Dirhams and 80 Dirhams depending on where you are staying. Abu Dhabi International Airport is also an option as it is not far from Dubai. You may require a visa to enter the UAE. However, GCC citizens do not require visas and certain foreign residents of the GCC may obtain a visa upon arrival. Moreover, nationals with passports issued by the following countries do not require a visa to enter the UAE and will instead receive a tourist visa upon arrival: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vatican. We recommend you check specific visa requirements with your local authorities before travelling. If you are carrying prescription medication, it is a good idea to obtain a letter from your physician and a medical report before you arrive in Dubai. Some drugs such as codeine are prohibited and will not only be confiscated but may subject the carrier to punishment. Further information can be found here. You can exchange your currency into the local currency, the UAE Dirham, at an exchange facility at the airport. The Dirham is pegged to the US dollar at 3.67. Otherwise, all major credit cards are accepted throughout Dubai and ATMs are located in shopping centres, hotels and business areas.

ORIENTATION
Dubai can be roughly split into three main areas which are bordered by the coast and desert: Old Dubai the immediate left and right side of Dubai Creek known as Bur Dubai and Deira respectively; Downtown Dubai the central business district comprising businesses located between Burj Khalifa and the World Trade Centre; and New Dubai, in the southern part of Dubai generally populated predominantly by beach hotels, Dubai Marina and a range of expatriate housing areas. Joining these three areas is a neatly planned network of roads with the main freeway known as Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) comprising of 12 lanes. The Dubai Metro generally runs parallel to SZR. The Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (Convention Centre) (where the IBA Conference is being held) as well as Hadef & Partners offices are located in the Downtown 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 areas or flagged down in the street and are relatively inexpensive. All public taxis are metered. Private taxis are available at most hotels and these are slightly more expensive. The recently opened Dubai Metro is also proving popular and runs from the airport all the way through Dubai, stopping at many of the major attractions and shopping malls, especially those down SZR. There is a stop directly outside the Convention 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 in early November, expect sunny days with temperatures of an average of 30C - 35C and cool to warm evenings 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 Arabic culture is evident in the architecture, music, attire and cuisine, more than 85% of Dubais population is made up of non-UAE nationals, and hence cultural influences from over 180 nationalities have had a marked influence. The official language of the UAE is Arabic, and English is widely spoken. Most business 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 destination and is considered to be a liberal society, mixing cultural influences from around the world. It is common to see people wearing western clothes such as t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, skirts, dresses, and swimwear around hotels, pools, certain suburban areas and at the beach. However, everyone is expected to dress respectfully when in public although it is not necessary for women to cover legs, arms or the face and/or hair. When in public places such as malls, wearing revealing clothing (for example beach wear, very short shorts and see-through items) is not recommended. Some venues such as major shopping malls have this written into dress code policies which are displayed at each entry point. Because the air-conditioning in public places tends to be quite cool, visitors are advised to bring a light cardigan or shawl. National dress in the UAE consists of the kandura for men (a white anklelength shirt) and the abaya (a black over-garment) for women. Emiratis wear their national dress proudly when outside of the home and generally when conducting business. Although for many visitors this may seem novel, staring is considered impolite and taking photos of women in national dress is not permitted unless you obtain their prior permission. Mixing of men and women in public is normal. However, you may find that in some traditional offices or places, such as hospitals, separate waiting rooms for men and women exist. When dealing with an Emirati woman (or any woman wearing an abaya), if you are male, do not extend your hand to shake her hand unless she offers first. Women do not have to follow this rule. Public displays of affection should be minimised. However, a husband and wife 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 public beach) 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 the worlds tallest building, Burj Khalifa which neighbours the offices of Hadef & Partners, enjoy some traditional Arabic entertainment on a desert safari or try your hand at snow-boarding at Ski Dubai, Dubai offers plenty of entertainment options. Dubai has undergone a huge transformation in the past six years. If you like architecture modern and traditional Arabic or would like an overview of Dubai, we recommend you take an open bus tour with one of the tour operators. For those wishing to simply relax and enjoy the sunshine, a round of golf at one of Dubais awardwinning golf courses or a trip to the beach could be in order. There are many beaches in Dubai, including public beaches (with minimal facilities) and private beach clubs at the beach hotels with a full range of resort facilities and activities which can be accessed. If you are staying at a hotel with beach facilities, you can, of course, use the private beach. If you are not staying at a beach hotel, you can pay a day rate to use the facilities. Home to over 70 shopping malls, as well as numerous traditional souks, Dubai has been called the shopping capital of the Middle East. We recommend a visit to the Dubai Mall, next to Hadef & Partners offices, the largest mall in the Middle East, to see the aquarium, underwater zoo or go ice skating. Dubai Mall is home to all of the worlds major brands, take a map when you arrive from the concierge as this place is big. Another popular shopping destination is the Mall of the Emirates which is further down SZR, towards New Dubai. At Mall of the Emirates, you will find the famous Ski Dubai and once again a myriad of stores and food outlets to explore. For a more traditional shopping experience, there are a number of purpose built souks around the city including the Madinat which is located adjacent to the Jumeirah Group beach properties, Souk Al Bahar in Downtown Dubai, near Dubai Mall or for the really traditional experience, visitors can venture into Bur Dubai for the textile and spice souk which adjoins historical Bastakia. A trip on an abra for one Dirham will take you across Dubai Creek to Deira, where you will find the Gold Souk. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding offers tours of the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque and an opportunity for visitors to learn more about Islam and the Arabic culture. For more information on traditional experiences in Dubai, click here. The Atlantis Hotel has an aquarium and a water park offering a full range of water slides and rides if you enjoy more energetic pursuits. There is also a dolphin encounter experience package that enables you to swim with dolphins. Many tour operators operate desert wadi and dune bashing tours that may include a cultural show, dinner and drinks in the desert. You can even try riding on a camel! The colours of the desert and the shifting of the sand is a unique experience and not to be missed. Read the Time Out Dubai adventure guide for further information. To take in the scale and splendour of Dubai, a Seawings flight or an Aerogulf helicopter tour allows you to experience Dubai from the sky. Highlights include flying over The Palm, The World, next to the iconic Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa.

For wildlife enthusiasts, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the few urban protected areas in the world and home to over 260 species of fauna and 47 species of flora. Eating out in Dubai is an institution and many top chefs have opened flagship restaurants in the city. Most international cuisines are available. Time Out Dubai provides a comprehensive list of restaurants and reviews. If you intend on staying for a longer period then we recommend a visit to Abu Dhabi where you can visit a range of attractions including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island (the Formula 1 Circuit) and the Ferrari World Amusement park. Fujairah is located on the eastern coast of the UAE, facing the Indian Ocean and 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 close proximity to the Convention Centre.

HOTEL LOCATIONS Walking distance The Ibis, Novotel and the Trade Centre Hotel Apartments form part of the wider Convention Centre complex 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 with immediate access to the Convention Centre. The Jumeirah Emirates Towers is also walk-able on a nice morning but we recommend the three minute taxi ride in the heat of the day. The Monarch Hotel is in a similar category if you walk down to the Fairmont and then across the pedestrian bridge. The Ritz Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre will be opening in early 2011. Five minute taxi ride The Address Hotel Downtown Dubai, the Address Dubai Mall, Armani Hotel, the Palace and the Al Manzil are all conveniently located in the Downtown Dubai area and near Hadef & Partners offices. They have easy access to the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa and the Dancing Fountains. Therefore, although they are a five minute taxi ride they benefit from easy access to amenities, restaurants and cafes. The Rose Reyhaan (alcohol free), the Dusit Thani and the Al Murooj Rotana are also conveniently located on the same side of SZR as the Convention Centre.

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Five to seven minute taxi ride The Shangri-la, the Towers Rotana and the Chelsea Hotel & Apartments are located on the opposite side of SZR so they are a slightly longer taxi ride but still very conveniently located. If you prefer to walk, it will take you about 10 to 15 minutes to walk from any of these hotels to the Convention Centre. Hotels on the Metro Rail links The Kempinski Hotel, adjoining the Mall of the Emirates, is conveniently located on the Metro. Beach hotels If you want to stay by the beach then these hotels are generally a 20 30 minute taxi ride from the Convention Centre. We suggest you look into the Al Qasr and Mina Salam hotels which form part of the Madinat Jumeirah complex, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, One & Only Royal Mirage and the Ritz Carlton. Desert hotels Beyond your business visit, you may wish to arrange a night or two at a luxury dessert resort. There are a number of such five star properties such as Al Maha, Jumeirah 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
HOTELS www.themonarchdubai.com www.rotana.com www.shangri-la.com www.fairmont.com/dubai www.dusit.com/hotels/uae/dubai www.armanihotels.com www.jumeirah.com www.theaddress.com/en/hotel/the-palace-old-town www.theaddress.com/en/hotel/downtown-burj-dubai-1-2 www.theaddress.com/en/hotel/dubai-mall-1-1 www.crowneplaza.com www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-3572-ibis-world-trade-centre-dubai/index.shtml www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-5261-novotel-world-trade-centre-dubai/index.shtml www.almanzilhotel.com www.chelseatowerdubai.com www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/DubaiIfc/Default.htm

DUBAI CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE www.dwtc.com

TRANSPORT www.rta.ae

SHOPPING & ENTERTAINMENT www.thedubaimall.com www.malloftheemirates.com www.skidxb.com www.burjkhalifa.ae www.desertsafaridubai.com www.arabiahorizons.com/Special-Interest-Tours www.dubai-online.com/attractions/smccu.htm www.yasmarinacircuit.com www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com www.timeoutdubai.com

HADEF & PARTNERS

Hadef & Partners is a full-service business law firm which was founded in 1980 by Dr Hadef Al Dhahiri, the current UAE Minister of Justice, and is among the oldest and largest law firms in the UAE, with offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. English, Arabic and most other leading business languages are spoken by members 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 of advocates 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

SADIQ JAFAR MANAGING PARTNER

s.jafar@hadefpartners.com

RICHARD BRIGGS EXECUTIVE PARTNER HEAD OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION

r.briggs@hadefpartners.com

OMAR AL SHAIKH PARTNER HEAD OF COURT LITIGATION

o.alshaikh@hadefpartners.com

SAMEER HUDA PARTNER HEAD OF CORPORATE

s.huda@hadefpartners.com

ABDULRAHMAN JUMA PARTNER DEPUTY HEAD OF LITIGATION

a.juma@hadefpartners.com

MICHAEL LUNJEVICH PARTNER HEAD OF REAL ESTATE & COMMERCIAL

m.lunjevich@hadefpartners.com

ERIK MUTHOW PARTNER HEAD OF MARITIME, TRANSPORT & TRADE

e.muthow@hadefpartners.com

ALAN RODGERS PARTNER HEAD OF BANKING & FINANCE

a.rodgers@hadefpartners.com

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HADEF & PARTNERS 12th Floor, Blue Tower Khalifa Street PO Box 3727 Abu Dhabi, UAE T +971 2 627 6622 F +971 2 627 6556

HADEF & PARTNERS Emaar Square, Building 3, Level 5, Downtown Burj Dubai, PO Box 37172 Dubai, UAE T +971 4 429 2999 F +971 4 429 2888

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