The UAE and its ties to SA

Bilateral trade between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and South Africa reached 11.75 billion dirham (R43 billion) last year, up 26% from 2016 figures, according to equity market news, data, analysis and investor tools website Mubasher.info

Major exports to the UAE include base metals and allied products, fruit and vegetables, steel for construction and general engineering, machinery, electronics, minerals, defence equipment, chemicals and plastic goods. Around 70% of South Africa’s imports from the UAE consist of crude oil. Other exports to the country include machinery, transportation equipment, consumer electronics, home appliances, computer accessories and textiles.

A recent significant development was the takeover of the UAE’s Al Noor Hospitals Group by Mediclinic in February 2016.

Other notable South African companies present in the UAE include Barloworld Logistics and Standard Bank.

Formal diplomatic relations between South Africa and the UAE were concluded during the visit by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1994 for the inauguration of former president Nelson Mandela.

The Gupta family has property in Dubai, the largest city in the UAE.

Former president Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, was residing in Dubai prior to his recent return to South Africa.