City Profile Abu Dhabi's vast oil industry and foreign assets contribute to its overall financial strength making it the dominant member of the UAE. It is widely expected that Sheikh Khalifa, the present ruler of Abu Dhabi, will continue the broad liberal economic policies pursued during the long Sheikh Zayed era.

Country Rankings for United Arab Emirates Ease of Doing Business World Bank '05 69 of 155 Med* Corruption Perception Transparency International '05 30 of 159 High Growth Competitiveness World Economic Forum '05 18 of 117 High National Literacy 78% Med GDP Growth (2004 est.) 5.7% Med

Abu Dhabi has historically been the slowest to pursue economic diversification, and the most resistant to opening its economy up to foreign investment. But Sheikha Lubna al-Qassimi, the economy and planning minister, is expected to now promote a progressive economic agenda, including new regulations allowing foreigners to own a majority share in locally incorporated firms. Recent reports suggest this to be the case. Abu Dhabi believes its competitive advantage lies in heavier industry and manufacturing, thanks partly to the availability of cheap energy and labor.

Earlier this year Abu Dhabi was host to IDEX 2005 - an international defense exhibition. The exhibition brought together representatives from the government and private sectors from more than 900 companies and 50 countries. The latest equipment and technologies in the field of defense were showcased there. The next installment of IDEX is planned for 2007.

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi recently won the Middle East e-Banking Country Award and Outstanding use of IT in Financial Services Award by Datamatix and ITP, respectively as recognition of the Bank's use of the internet in providing outstanding service to its customers. These awards follow The National Bank of Abu Dhabi's recognition as the Best Bank in the UAE, by both Bankers and Euromoney, earlier this year.

The University of Abu Dhabi (ADU) has recently recruited 50 new highly qualified faculty members for the 2005-06 academic year. The new professors and administrators included individuals with backgrounds in Computer Science and Information Technology, Marketing, Education, and English among other subjects. This is part of the University's plans to improve its staff and the quality of education offered to its students.

Source:

Population: 2004 or latest: http://www.citypopulation.de; GDP Data: 2004 CIA Fact Book estimate; Literacy: UN estimate

* Country Ranking Codes: A relative color coding of where the country falls compared to the 20 other Muslim countries represented in this list. Hgh/Green=Top 3rd; Med/Yellow=Mid 3rd; Low/Orange=Bottom rd

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