The Dubai Department of Economic Development (Dubai FDI) continued its U.S. tour in Portland, Oregon, from 13-15 September, 2017. His Excellency Abdulla Alsaboosi, United Arab Emirates Consul General to Los Angeles, joined the delegation and provided welcome remarks at a morning networking session with Portland business leaders. Ibrahim Al Ahli, Director of Investment Promotion at Dubai FDI, led the “Why Dubai Networking Breakfast,” hosted by Business Oregon and K&L Gates, LLP, in partnership with the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council. The networking breakfast provided an opportunity for Dubai FDI to establish new ties with Portland-based businesses by showcasing their offerings and investment opportunities in the Emirate of Dubai.

In his discussion, Al Ahli highlighted the positive response by U.S. investors to the ambitious infrastructure developments and economic and business policy improvements, such as the Public-Private Partnership Law, in Dubai.

The Dubai FDI delegation with Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, Partners representing K&L Gates, LLP, and Business Leaders representing Business Oregon

“Trends captured by our Dubai FDI Monitor over the first quarter of 2017 show that Dubai received AED 4.77 billion (roughly $1.2 billion) in foreign direct investments, making it ninth globally in FDI receipts,” said Al Ahli. “The U.S. was the number one source of both FDI capital and FDI projects to the U.A.E., accounting for a share of 28.7 percent and 25 percent respectively, during the same period.”

Al Ahli pointed to specific initiatives that have generated sustained interest from U.S. investors such as the Dubai Plan 2021, the Dubai Industrial Strategy, 2030, and infrastructure projects linked to Expo 2020 Dubai. Al Ahli concluded his remarks by offering participants an overview of the ways in which Dubai FDI and the Government of Dubai can help American companies hoping to grow their business in the U.A.E. and the wider Middle East.

“It is great to be a part of an event promoting Dubai in Oregon where Oregon’s economy has transitioned from natural resources to adding manufacturing and service industries with an emphasis on technology. I had the pleasure of meeting the Honorable Governor Kate Brown earlier this year where we exchanged perspectives on the U.A.E.-Oregon relationship and possible areas of future collaboration. From 2013 to 2015, Oregon exported more than $543 million goods to the U.A.E. while the U.A.E. is the U.S.’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa region,” said Consul General Abdulla Alsaboosi.

The Dubai FDI Delegation, Business Oregon, and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, meet senior executives from the Columbia Sportswear Company

Following the breakfast, Dubai FDI met executives from Columbia Industries, Columbia Sportswear Company,  SL Follen Company, Urban Systems, Inc., Warm Springs Composite Products, The Greenbrier Companies, Port of Portland, and Simplex Manufacturing Company.

• Columbia Industries-The Dubai FDI delegation met with senior executives of Columbia industries and toured the family-owned heavy steel and fabrication company. Dubai FDI provides the necessary infrastructure for businesses looking to expand in this vertical.
• Columbia Sportswear Company (CSC)-Peter Bradgon, Executive VP and General Counsel of CSC, discussed CSC’s global operations with the Dubai FDI delegation.
• SL Follen Company-Executives of SL Follen discussed opportunities for further exports of hay, feed, and straw products to the Middle East.
• Urban Systems Inc.-Dubai FDI met Wilfred Pinfold, CEO of Urban Systems, Stan Curtis, VP Business Development, and Ken Montler, Business Development, to learn more about their urban development programs and draw on their expertise in smart cities, analytics, communications, and information technology.
• Warm Springs Composite Products-Dubai FDI was eager to learn more about fire-rated door components. Warm Springs exports globally and their work can be seen in the Burj Khalifa, Dubai, Bahrain World Trade Center, Bahrain, and the King Abdullah Financial District Towers project, Saudi Arabia.
• The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.– Dubai FDI met with executives of The Greenbrier Companies to discuss a wide range of manufacturing products Greenbrier has to offer including designing and building freight rail cars and marine barges.
• Port of Portland-The Port of Portland moves over 17 million tons of cargo through Portland annually. Dubai FDI was interested in the Port’s logistics capabilities including overseeing Portland International Airport, four marine terminals, deep-draft container port, and five industrial parks around the metropolitan area.
• Simplex Manufacturing Company-Dubai FDI met Mark Zimmerman, CEO and President of Simplex Manufacturing Company and other senior executives. Some of Simplex’s product lines include aerial firefighting systems such as fire attack belly tanks for helicopters, agricultural spray systems, aerial cleaning systems, cargo pods, and high rise firefighting spray systems.

The Dubai FDI delegation’s fourth visit to the U.S. continues to create strong partnerships in a range of business verticals. Their five-day mission in Seattle and Portland provided new insights and networks with U.S. industries in the North West.

Please click here to find out more about Dubai FDI’s mission in Seattle.