UK companies have called on the country's coalition government to strengthen ties with the UAE.
The previous Labour government had "distanced" itself from Middle East to the detriment of British business, executives and trade bodies said yesterday.
"There seemed to be a disinterestedness by the previous government," said Andy Pearson, the Middle East managing director at Babcock International. "I think the UAE probably felt the most aggrieved with the apparent abandonment by the approach."
ADS, the UK trade organisation, said it believed the coalition government was trying to reach out to the UAE at this year's International Defence Exhibition (Idex).
"It's going to be a hard road," said Rees Ward, the chief executive of ADS. "The UAE is very much about relationships, networking and getting connections."
ADS oversees the interests of 3,000 companies in the UK aerospace, defence, security and space industries. It is the voice for a range of companies in the UK, from multinationals such as BAE down to small and medium-sized enterprises.
"The UK is the second-largest exporter of defence in the world, but if you look at the UAE kit it's all French and American," Mr Ward said. "It's an area the UK needs to get back into the fight."
Major Gen Obaid al Ketbi said the UAE Armed Forces dealt with all countries "equally". "We do not differentiate between any companies from particular countries," he said.
Gerald Howarth, the UK minister for international security strategy, is leading a team from the defence ministry and the UK Trade & Investment at Idex.
"In a slight change of emphasis this year, the UK team will be actively seeking out new business partners in the UAE and aiming to develop closer acquisition links with industrial partners in the region," Mr Howarth said.
More than 100 UK companies - the third-biggest presence after the UAE and the US - are displaying their range of innovative defence and security technology at Idex this year.
The UK's particular capability themes include technology to support land and maritime border securityas well as mine detection and countermeasures. It also a major nuclear defence player.
Alan Malpas, the regional director for UK Trade & Investment, said the UK delegation at Idex was a reflection of the new government's policy of promoting exports to the Middle East.
Exports are a key element of the UK prime minister David Cameron's plans to drag the economy from the doldrums. The UAE was Mr Cameron's first state visit and Queen Elizabeth II was also a visitor last November.
Mr Pearson said: "The UK government is now desperately trying to put it right with the UAE. But there's a big hill to climb here and the UAE might not be prepared to give them a chance."