On the right track

Ties between Australia and the UAE are strengthening.

Australia attaches great significance to the UAE and enjoys a multi-dimensional relationship with the country. Bilateral relations have grown from strength to strength and have broadened into a closer partnership in diverse fields over the last few years, says Jeremy Bruer, Australian ambassador to the UAE.

Strong relationship

Official relations between both countries have existed for more than two decades. The Australian consulate general, established in Abu Dhabi in 1979, was soon upgraded to an embassy in 1983. After a short break, diplomatic ties were resumed with the reopening of the Australian embassy in 1999.

Other offices such as Austrade, a government international business and investment promotion agency, the Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO), the South Australian Government Commercial Representative Office and the Western Australian Trade Office (WATO) in Dubai, represent the country's interests in the UAE.

Traditionally based on economic factors, relations between Australia and the UAE have diversified into political and defence cooperation. "The UAE is a strategic partner for Australia both politically and economically. We share similar perspectives on global developments and work jointly to promote peace in the region," says Bruer.

Both countries place great importance on intensifying their dialogue on a wide range of issues. The establishment of Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meetings with the UAE in 1992 underlined the growing political relationship and the government's involvement in promoting economic ties.

The regular series of JMC meetings has provided excellent opportunities for businesses and officials from Australia and the UAE to discuss a range of commercial and other issues. In March the Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile and Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy and Planning co-chaired the fourth Australia-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission in Canberra. The meeting also launched negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) to boost trade and investment.

Various agreements

The two countries have signed agreements on education and investment promotion and protection, while others on judicial and defence cooperation are under negotiation. The UAE was the first country to sign an MOU with Australia on live animal exports last year. "This development is a sign of the understanding that exists between the two countries and shows our mutual willingness to take the relationship to a new level. The proposed free trade agreement is the first that Australia has ever negotiated with a country outside the Asia Pacific," says Bruer.

The UAE has hosted numerous high-level Australian visitors in recent years. The Australian Governor-General, Prime Minister, Trade Minister, Defence Minister and Minister of Forestry and Fisheries and Premiers of five Australian states, as well as a large number of state ministers have visited the UAE in the last year. Australian business delegations arrive in the UAE year-round to pursue cooperation with their UAE counterparts.

High-ranking visits

In addition to Shaikha Lubna, who has visited twice, General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Minister of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and Shaikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Planning and Economy, have paid official visits to Australia this year.

The UAE ranks as Australia's second-largest trade partner in the Middle East. It is also the biggest market for Australian fruit and vegetables and continues to be a lucrative market for Australian exports ranging from metals to automobiles.

Trade stood at $2.1 billion (about Dh7.71 billion) last year. Australian exports to the UAE amounted to $1.3 billion (about Dh3.5 billion) while the UAE's exports to Australia totalled $821 million (about Dh2 ,216 million). Australian exports include primary products such as aluminium, iron ore, gold, metal, wool, finished goods, machinery, aircraft, automobiles, meat, foodstuff and vegetables. The UAE exports crude petroleum and other petroleum-related products.

"The growth in our exports to the UAE in the last five years has been quite dramatic. Manufactured goods represented about 19 per cent of Australian exports to the UAE in 1994, and this year it is approaching 40 per cent. Motor vehicles constitute a sizeable 18 per cent of our exports today," says Bruer. But the most dramatic increase has been in trade in services which totalled $1.5 billion (about Dh4 billion) last year.

Australia is a preferred destination for students from the UAE. Several Australian educational institutes are making their mark in the UAE's growing education sector.

"The Wollongong University in Dubai's Knowledge Village offers students a Wollongong University degree from Australia. Universities such as Adelaide and Monash are engaged in helping with the management of schools of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy in Sharjah. We have also recently opened our first Australian International School and are looking at other similar opportunities," he says.

Major workforce

With more than 12,000 people and 200 companies in the country, Australians form a major workforce in both the commercial and services sectors in the UAE. Australia is an increasingly popular destination among UAE nationals. About 20,000 people from the UAE visited Australia last year. "And it's not just one way. Many Australians are now choosing to visit the UAE," says Bruer.

"For Australians, the UAE is the perfect stop-over destination. The country has great hotels, fantastic beaches and many interesting things to see."