The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council and the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) welcomed over 300 senior business and government leaders to the U.S. Pavilion at Expo 2020 on Sunday, November 14th for their event at the biennial Dubai Airshow. A video recording of the reception’s remarks can be found here
One of the largest defense and aerospace trade shows in the world, the Dubai Airshow is an opportunity for leading companies from the aerospace and defense, commercial aviation and related industries to join together every two years to conclude deals and strengthen relationships. This year’s event marked the much anticipated return to face-to-face business interactions following the shutdowns and travel restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The joint AIA-U.S-U.A.E. Business Council reception featured
Welcoming guests to the U.S. Pavilion at Expo 2020, U.S. Commissioner General Robert Clark provided an overview of themes of Expo 2020 and the goals of the U.S. Pavilion in showcasing American innovation. He praised American free enterprise for its contributions over the year in creating innovation and exporting it abroad.
In his remarks, Danny Sebright highlighted the strength and resilience of the bilateral relationship, stating that “the aviation and defense sector verticals form the backbone of the ever important military and security pillars of the U.S.-U.A.E relationship.” “The U.S. and the U.A.E have enjoyed a longstanding and important relationship in providing for enhanced regional security. Our defense industrial partnerships remain critical now more than ever to this effort. Moreover, our commercial aerospace partnerships have flourished in recent years and have certainly contributed greatly to our joint ability to mitigate some of the worst effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Eric Fanning, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, went on to underscore the importance of the bilateral aerospace and defense relationship, and the strength of the industry despite the pandemic. Specifically, Eric noted, “International events like these present an opportunity to showcase the American aerospace and defense industry as well as our innovative technologies that move, connect, and inspire the world.”
Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi Sean Murphy lauded the U.S.-U.A.E. relationship that he and his team work to strengthen everyday. Charge d’Affaires Murphy went on to say that “the Dubai Airshow is a top global airshow thanks to the strong vision of this country’s senior leadership and its foresight for developing the U.A.E. as a global hub.”
The evening concluded with a raffle draw for two business class tickets from both Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways. Partnering with the U.S. aerospace industry, these two U.A.E. carriers have helped make the country the global transportation and logistics hub that it is today by offering unparalleled service and leveraging the U.A.E.’s unique geographic position, sitting within an 8-hour flight of two thirds of the world’s population.
For more information on the U.S. Pavilion at Expo 2020, the 2021 Dubai Airshow, or the Business Council‘s ongoing activities in the aerospace, defense, and commercial aviation sectors, please contact Graham Reitman at greitman@usuaebusiness.org
