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As part of its Vision 2021 strategy, the UAE is striving for sustainable development by moving towards economic diversification away from oil, with a focus on a number of strategic sectors, including biotechnology

(...) Furthermore, as envisaged by the Government, transitioning towards a knowledge driven economy through better quality of education, promotion of innovation and use of new technologies, would contribute to raising productivity and diversifying the economy; thus sustaining growth. In this respect, the Government has started to implement initiatives in alternative energy, Islamic economy, and space and aerospace.

The MOEW (Ministry of Environment and Water) encourages the use of modern technology in agriculture, including modern irrigation and hydroponics in order to conserve water while it also provides extension services to farmers in order to increase productivity. Organic farming is encouraged to improve environmental and economic sustainability and reduce the use of chemical inputs.

In general, it is prohibited to import living insects, bacteria, virus, parasites, and agricultural materials infected by any pests without previous authorization from the relevant authority and the Minister in charge, may at any point prohibit or restrict the importation, sale, cultivation, propagation or movement of any plant, soil or any item that can spread a pest to protect plant and animal health and the environment, including endangered species of wild fauna and flora

On services, the GSFTA (GCC-Singapore Free Trade Agreement) builds on the commitments made by Singapore and the GCC countries at the multilateral level, in particular, the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Specifically, Singapore and the GCC have committed to liberalize various services sectors beyond its WTO commitments. Broadly, the schedule of specific commitments include the following sectors: (...) environmental services; (...)

The MOEW (Ministry of Environment and Water) has issued several resolutions restricting fishing over the past few years, including:
• Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2012 which covers the administrative sanctions, penalties and fines that regulate activities related to the fishing industry;
• Ministerial Decree No. 372 of 2013 on a temporary ban on registration of new fishing boats;
• Ministerial Decree No. 706 of 2013 on new regulations on manufacturing, importing, and the use of traps (gargoor);
• Ministerial Decree No. 500 of 2014 which is intended to bring fishing and trading of sharks into line with CITES (according to the FAO, the UAE had been the eighth largest exporter of shark fins );
• Ministerial Resolution No. 501 of 2015 setting out effort restrictions for lethrinus nebulosus (spangled emperor) and siganus canaliculatus (white spotted spinefoot);
• Ministerial Resolution No. 656 of 2014 and Ministerial Decree No. 574 of 2015 restricting the use of fishing nets; and
• Ministerial Decree No. 580 of 2015, on the prevention of fishing, selling, and marketing of fish below the specified minimum lengths.

In order to preserve stocks of fish that are sustainable, the Ministry of Environment and Water has issued several regulations concerning fishing gear, areas and seasons, and the structure of the workforce

The main advantage of this new draft law for foreign investors will lead to increasing the percentage of foreign ownership of projects up to 100% in the sectors or the activities prescribed by the law and meet the standards set for foreign investment projects by the law. Those standards include (...) environment preservation.

As for imports, under the Common Customs Law of the GCC States certain categories of goods may be subject to export prohibitions or restrictions. In the UAE, export prohibitions or restrictions are applied: on the grounds of public safety, public health, public morals, environment, natural resources, national security, and UAE foreign policy; and to comply with international treaties and conventions. Law No. 13 of 2007, as amended, provides the legal basis for export prohibitions and restrictions.

Table 4.10 Selected large construction projects under construction in the UAE in 2015
Source Project Main contractor Client Approximate value
US$ million
a Barakah Nuclear Power Plant 1-4 Korea Electric Power Corporation Emirates Nuclear Energy Company 20,000
(...)