1.   The Saudi offset programme, the biggest in the Middle East, currently includes contractors from France, Britain and the United States.

2.   The UAE joined Saudi Arabia in introducing offset programmes several years ago in a bid to attract foreign capital, mainly in industry and technology.

3.   The UAE began enforcing offset programmes around six years ago in a bid to attract capital from industrial countries, its main commercial partners and arms suppliers.

4.   The UAE introduced offset programmes five years ago in a bid to acquire technology and diversity in its oil-reliant economy.

5.   The UAE introduced offset programmes a few years ago in a bid to attract technology and diversify its oil-reliant economy.

6.   UAE officials said offset programmes, introduced nearly four years ago, would help their attempts to diversify their oil-reliant economy.

7.   Under offset programmes, arms exporters must re-invest a certain percentage of the weapons deal in the importing country.

8.   Saudi Arabia was the first Gulf state to introduce offset programmes and other countries in the oil-rich region are considering following suit.