The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, a collaboration of leading companies in the United States and United Arab Emirates that are committed to expanding commercial relations between the two countries.

“The Council will be a dynamic and powerful voice in support of the longstanding commercial relationships between our two countries,” said Lt. General Dan Christman, U.S. Chamber senior vice president of the Chamber’s International Division, at the Council’s inaugural event in Washington, D.C.

Christman was joined by U.A.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. Michele Sison.

“The Business Council is an important and timely initiative,” said U.A.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “A central part of our foreign policy is strong economic relations with the world, and the U.S. is a significant trading partner of the U.A.E. Improving awareness and understanding of our two countries’ shared interests is critical to furthering that relationship.”