The United Arab Emirates
History
of Relations | Diplomatic Representation | Travel
Info | Health Requirements | Climate Info
| Currency Info | Trade Info | Visits
and Meetings | Agreements | Interest Groups/
Organisations
History of
Relations
Formal diplomatic relations were concluded during the
visit by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al Nahyan to South Africa in 1994 for the inauguration
of former President Nelson Mandela.
An South African Embassy was opened
in Abu Dhabi on January 17 1995. The first UAE Ambassador arrived in South Africa
on 12 November 1995.
A South African Consulate was opened in Dubai in August
1999.
Diplomatic Representation
South
African Representation in the United Arab Emirates
H E Mr Y Abba Omar
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
South African
Embassy
The United Arab Emirates Representation in South Africa
H E Mr H H H Al Habsi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Embassy
of the United Arab Emirates
Travel
Info
Visa requirements for South Africans
For more information contact the UAE Embassy in Pretoria.
Health Requirements
Expatriate
workers are required to provide proof that they are HIV negative. People travelling
from areas where yellow fever is endemic need to have a vaccination certificate.
For
further information: www.uaeforever.com
Climate Info
The climate
is hot and dry. The mean January temperature is 18 C and the mean temperature
in July is 33 C. The average rainfall is 152 mm. Temperatures from May to September
are frequently in the low forties with high humidity common in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
During winter, the entire country generally experiences very good weather
though it is often quite windy.
For up-to-date weather information click here.
Currency Info
The UAE
legal tender is the Dirham. There are 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 Dirham notes.
The Dirham is pegged to the US Dollar at Dirham 3.67 = 1USD.
For further
info: www.uaetoday.com
State
and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings
No Information
Bilateral
Agreements
If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section at 012 351 0872/0851/0837.
Trade
Info
Main commodities exported to the UAE in 2000
Mineral products R 178 099 595
Chemicals R 142 472 819
Vegetable products R 125 418 036
Base metals R 124 805 487
Vehicles R 99 355 927
Main commodities imported from the UAE in 2000
Mineral products R 733 773 640
Machinery R 48 221 099
Stone and glassware R 27 897 809
Foodstuffs R 22 083 001
Textiles R 19 113 580
For current information on trade statistics between
South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, visit the web site of the Department
of Trade and Industry of South Africa
Interest
Groups and Information
No Information
Frequently Asked Questions
For
useful links to UAE websites:
http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/United_Arab_Emirates/
http://www.arab.net/uae
