AJMAN

The Emirate of Ajman is centrally located in the western coast of the UAE a short distance from Dubai representing the northern flank of the Dubai- Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. With promising economic prospects, excellent business environment and a number of comparative advantages the Emirate offers good opportunities to national, Arab and international investors.

Among the favorable factors of the business environment is the strategic and central location of the Emirate, competitively lower prices of real estate including commercial and residential buildings, availability of skilled and semiskilled labour at lower wages, easy access to local and international market centres and liberal business regulations.

Under the enlightened rule and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman the Emirate has made major strides on the way to development in a relatively short period of time. Ajman has been transformed into a state with modern facilities and amenities. Yet, the traditional way of life has been preserved forming with modern living environment a pleasant blend of the old and the new and the simple and sophisticated. With a population of over 120,000 (5%of the UAE population as per the 1995 census), availability of manpower and conductive environment the Emirate has achieved high rates of growth in major economic sectors such as construction and industry. For example, Ajman ranks the third among the Emirates in terms of number of industrial plants (about 280 plants).

Other sectors have great potential. Of these are agricultural and tourism. Efforts are underway to develop integrated programmes in these two sectors making use of favourable market conditions and Ajman's comparative advantages. For example, the beautiful beaches of Ajman and the cleaner and less commercialized seashores offer excellent possibilities for sea resort hotels away from shiplanes and pollution. Meanwhile, the inland territories of Masfout and Manama have good prospects for agricultural development and growth potential particularly with the use of modern agricultural methods.

In line with the directives of H.H. the Ruler of Ajman development efforts in the Emirate have already made many successes, taking a comprehensive view of development to ensure consistency among sectoral plans. In addition, consideration is given to complementarity and co-ordination not only with national development plans but also with those of neighbouring Emirates to avoid duplication and costly rivalry. To enable the concerned departments to carry out their responsibilities including the implementation of the appropriate development strategy, local departments have always received the support of the Government of H.H. the Ruler of Ajman. These departments have been staffed by the necessary specialized personnel, technical staff and supported by financial allocations.