Useful
Information
Business
Hours:
The Islamic weekend
generally starts from noon on Thursday. Friday is the holiday
when busi-nesses, other than shops, close down completely. During
the working week, Saturday to Thursday, banks and government
offices are usually open between 8am and 1pm. Shops trade until
2pm. They break for lunch and re-open from 4:30 pm until 8:30
pm.
Car
Hire:
There are many
car rental offices in Abu Dhabi with cars of all sizes and makes
available for hire, with or without a driver. Rates are in the
range of Dh 120 per day (US $ 33.60) for small cars, and Dh
1000 (U.S.$272) for limousines. Roads are excellent. Traffic
jams are virtually non-existent. This is a wonderful way to
explore Abu Dhabi.
Climate:
The climate is
at its best between October and April when even in ‘mid
winter', temperatures on the coast hover around 24?C maximum,
and inland it's even warmer. Nights are cool, sometimes even
chilly, but rain is so infrequent that it poses little threat
to outdoor activities.
Clothing:
Summer weight
clothing is suitable all year round, with the addition of a
warmer wind-proof jacket or cardigan for cool winter nights,
and a wrap or jacket for air-conditioned hotels and restaurants,
which can be quite cold.
Hotels and
restaurants do not insist that male guest wear ties, but most
men, if not wearing a lightweight suit and tie, will at least
be in smart casual attire.
Credit
Cards:
Most credit cards
such as Diners, American Express, Access / Master Card and Visa
are accepted at major hotels and some of the larger shops. However,
better bargains can usually be obtained with cash.
Currency:
Durhams and fils
are the units of currency (100 fils to the Durham (DH). The
Durham is tied to the US Dollar at a steady exchange rate of
US $1 = Dh 3.68. Banks usually give the best rates on foreign
currency exchange, but hotels and airports are often quicker
and are open outside bank-ing hours. Money changers tend to
have a wider range of currencies, but their rates may be high-er.
Exchange rates are published daily.
Driving
Licenses:
A temporary local
driving license is issued when you hire a self-drive vehicle,
if you can pro-duce a valid passport, two photographs, and an
international driving license. A national license from any of
the following countries is acceptable in place of an international
license: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, West Germany,
Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey, UK and USA.
Electricity:
The electricity
supply is 220/240 volts AC at 50 cycles.
Embassies:
Most diplomatic
missions to the UAE are located in the capital, Abu Dhabi. In
addition to 17 Arab embassies, some 37 foreign countries are
represented through embassies and / or con-sulates.
Health
Requirement:
No health certificates
are required currently for entry to Abu Dhabi except for visitors
who have been in a cholera or yellow fever infected area during
the 14 days prior to their arrival. Because health requirements
can change suddenly it is always wise to check the situation
with a travel agent prior to departure.
Language:
The official
language is Arabic, but English is widely understood in the
hotels and shops, and used as a second language in commerce.
Medical
Care:
Medical attention
is available around the clock. There are many well equipped,
modern hospitals in Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain, including several
private hospitals. Most hotels have their own doctor on 24-hour
call, and pharmacies carry common medicines and health products.
Health care is free to all nationals and residents with a health
card. Others may choose between inexpensive care in government
health facilities or higher priced private treatment.
Newspapers:
The English-language
newspapers, Emirates News, Gulf News and Khaleej Times are published
daily, as are three Arabic newspapers. Foreign newspapers (usually
a day or two late) and mag-azines, especially British, are also
available in bookshops and supermarkets, along with many specialist
Arabic magazines.
Public
Transport:
A modern bus
system operates almost 24 hours a day. The major coach station
is on the Hazza Bin Zayed Road, where buses arrive and depart
from destinations throughout Abu Dhabi and beyond. Some are
air-conditioned, some not. Fares are inexpensive.
Taxis:
Taxis are plentiful
and comparatively cheap, with fixed metered fares around the
city from about Dh 5 to Dh 20. However, if you travel outside
the city by taxi, it is wise to establish the price before setting
out. Sharing is a common practice for longer journeys.
Radio:
Both Arabic and
English commercial radio stations broadcast in Abu Dhabi. Capital
Radio broad-casts in English from 7 am until midnight on 100.5
MHz FM. Abu Dhabi Radio broadcasts in Arabic on three medium
wave and alternating short wave frequencies from 6.15 am
until 2 am.
Television:
There are about
thirteen channels broadcasting in Arabic and English in Abu
Dhabi, and it is also possible to pick up signals from Dubai,
Sharjah and countries outside the U.A.E. The Abu Dhabi English
TV station transmits on Channel 48. Abu Dhabi also receives
satellite television from around the world: CNN, BBC and STAR
TV, amongst others.
Telephone:
Telecommunications
throughout Abu Dhabi are modern and efficient. International
direct dialing is available to most countries, Local telephone
calls (in and around the central city area) are free. Local
and international dialing codes may be obtained by dialing the
operator on 181. If you have difficulty with dialing, ring 151
for assistance. Pay phones, located in the cities and at points
along the highways, can be operated by coins (Dh 1 or 50 fils)
or phone cards which may purchased from post offices and licensed
agents throughout the city. Reduced charges apply between 9
pm and 7 am, plus all day on Fridays, public or national holidays.
The major hotels have fax and telex services and can organize
modem access.
Time:
UAE is four hours
ahead of GMT.
Water:
Tap water comes
from desalination plants and is safe to drink, however may people
prefer bot-tled water which is served in most hotels and restaurants
and may be purchased at shops through-out Abu Dhabi.
Official
Language of the Congress:
English
Visas:
Most visitors
to the UAE need an entry visa, except nationals of GCC Countries.
Only British citizens with the right of entry in the U.A.E.
may obtain a visa upon arrival. Transit visas for 14 days, or
visit visas for 30 days, the latter renewable for a maximum
of 100 days, are easy enough to obtain in advance through either
the hotel at which you are staying, or a business contact in
Abu Dhabi. If you wish, the conference organizers will obtain
a visa for you. This is condition-al upon the organizers receipt
of a clear copy of your passport, not less than one month prior
to the beginning of the conference. Those traveling on Israeli
passports, or with Israeli visas on their passports will not
be allowed entry. Visitors leaving Abu Dhabi whose visas have
expired face a fine of Dh 100 per day.
Official
Letters Of Invitation:
Official Letters
of Invitation to help overcome administrative difficulties in
some countries can be sent by the “Congress Secretarial
Office” upon written request. These letters do not commit
the Organizing Committee to any financial obligation.
Climate
and Weather Conditions:
At the beginning
of February, Abu Dhabi is usually mild and sunny, with temperatures
ranging from 15.5? C to 25? C.
Technical
Exhibition:
Pharmaceutical
companies, manufacturers of technical equipment and software,
as well as pub-lishers of scientific book have been invited
to display their products at this exhibition organized jointly
with the congress.
