A virtual trade mission to the U.A.E., led by the Missouri International Trade & Investment Office, set the stage for Missouri-based agtech, healthcare, and aerospace companies to build on the state’s $80+ million exports to the U.A.E. This virtual mission precedes the rescheduling of an in-person trade mission to the U.A.E. that will be led by the Governor of Missouri.
The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council was proud to participate in this two-day event, which took place from 30 June – 1 July and featured speakers central to the U.S-U.A.E. commercial relationship. A general overview session, followed by three sector-specific breakout sessions, provided dozens of Missouri companies with guidance on doing business in the U.A.E. with a specific focus on agtech, healthcare and life sciences, and defense and aerospace.
Ms. Ann Pardolos, Managing Director at the State of Missouri International Trade & Investment Office, kicked off the virtual mission on 30 June by welcoming delegates to the first session, a general overview and introduction to doing business in the U.A.E. Addressing the delegates in attendance, Ms. Pardolos emphasized Missouri’s growing international presence, highlighting that Missouri has experienced a 60% growth in exports abroad thanks in part to 11 international offices like its Dubai U.A.E. International Trade and Investment Office, headed by Mr. Joe Hepworth.
Delegates heard scene-setting remarks from His Excellency Salem Alshamsi, Consul General for the United Arab Emirates in Boston., who lauded the close Missouri – U.A.E. bilateral relationship, pointing out that Missouri has exported over $250 million in goods and services to the U.A.E. over the last five years. From the Consulate in Boston, His Excellency facilitates U.A.E. engagement with 12 states in the Northeast and Midwest, including the great state of Missouri.
U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Mr. Danny Sebright reiterated the strength of the bilateral commercial relationship while noting the U.S.’s $20 million trade surplus with the U.A.E. He also provided a short briefing on Doing Business in the U.A.E. based on the Business Council’s groundbreaking how-to guide found here.
Following formal remarks, panelists, including Ms. Pardolos, Consul General Alshamsi, Mr. Sebright, and Mr. Hepworth, fielded audience questions on how best to cultivate business relationships in the U.A.E., how to avail of available resources, and the ways in which the U.A.E. has responded to the coronavirus pandemic. They also noted the strength of Missouri.-U.A.E. partnership in times of crisis, such as when the U.A.E. provided aid to Joplin, Missouri in the wake of its devastating 2011 tornado.
Clockwise from top left: Danny Sebright, President U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council; Ann Pardolos, Managing Director at the State of Missouri International Trade & Investment Office; His Excellency Salem Alshamsi, Consul General for the United Arab Emirates in Boston; and Joe Hepworth, Director, U.A.E. International Trade and Investment Office
The following day, the Business Council and the Missouri Department of Economic Development led three separate breakout sessions. The first, covering agtech, featured His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Majid Al Qassimi, Adviser to the Minister of Climate Change & Environment, and highlighted the U.A.E.’s push to become a leader in food security. The second breakout session provided a comprehensive look into opportunities for Missouri biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and life sciences companies, as well as healthcare providers, in the U.A.E. market, and included a presentation by Alaa Adel, Managing Director, Cerner Middle East & Africa. The third session, featuring two Dubai-based lawyers from leading U.S. law firm Baker Botts – Mr. John Lonsberg, Senior Counsel, Baker Botts – Dubai and Mr. Mark Bisch, Partner, Baker Botts – Dubai – outlined ways for Missouri companies to engage in the U.A.E. defense and aerospace sector. Each breakout session provided Missouri businesses with industry-specific guidance on key players in each sector and ways to engage moving forward.
The state of Missouri shares a strong relationship with the United Arab Emirates. In 2019 alone, Missouri exported $80.6 million in goods and services to the U.A.E., supporting approximately 700 jobs. The Missouri-U.A.E. relationship is bolstered by missions such as these, which continue to connect key industry players and strengthen regional engagement.
