UAE-Malaysia relations, expats in UAE

United Arab Emirates and Malaysia

United Arab Emirates more commonly referred to as UAE is a federation of seven states situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. The seven states, termed emirates, are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. The country is fossil fuel (oil and natural gas) rich and compared to the other Arab countries, is much better developed and has a relatively high Human Development Index for the Asian continent, ranking 39th globally, and had a GDP purchasing power parity of $293.5 billion in 2009 according to the IMF. It is a prosperous country.

There is much similarity and affinity between UAE (United Arab Emirates) and Malaysia as both are Muslim majority countries with UAE having 96% of its population belonging to the Islam faith while other religions including the Christians and the Hindus being allowed to practice their faith. Just like Malaysia, religions other that Islam is illegal to proselytise to the Muslim.

Economy and demography

As UAE is an oil rich country, it is highly prosperous and has a rapidly growing economy with a high GDP per capita and energy consumption per capita.
The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita is currently the 14th in the world. Just like Malaysia or perhaps to a greater extend, UAE attracts foreign workers (expatriates) in drove.

The UAE population has an unnatural sex distribution consisting of more than twice as many males as females. UAE has one of the most diverse populations in the Middle East.[8] 19% of the population is Emirati, and 23% is other Arabs and Iranians.[9] An estimated 74% of the population is comprised of non-citizens, one of the world's highest percentages of foreign-born in any nation. In addition, since the mid-1980s, people from all across South Asia have settled in the UAE. The high living standards and economic opportunities in the UAE are better than almost anywhere else in the Middle East and South Asia, This makes UAE a magnet for expatriates or expats in short. The expats in United Arab Emirates UAE.

Newly arrived expats to UAE will have an enviable opportunity to stay in the world tallest tower, the famous Burj Dubai or the Burj Al Arab, Dubai, namely the Burj El Arab hotel:

Photo of Burj Dubai courtesy of Catsper

Photo of the Atrium Al Arab Hotel courtesy of David Lisbona

In Malaysia, the term expat conjures up image of well paid Caucasians, but many expats in the UAE are relatively lower paid workers who may not want to stay in the expensive Burj Al Arab, Dubai hotel, but will look for Cheap Dubai Hotels like the Dubai Nova Hotel:

Photo of Dubai Nova Hotel courtesy of CheaperThanHotels.com

Staying in hotels on a long term basis is an expensive affair. Newly arrived expats to UAE are thus likely to eventually start looking for Abu Dhabi Accommodation not too long after arrival.