The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a business roundtable luncheon discussion on January 23rd 2020 in honor of U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles His Excellency Hazza Alkaabi. The event was held at the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, a world-class property that has served the Los Angeles area since 1975.

Over lunch, Consul General Alkaabi engaged with over 30 leaders from the Los Angeles business community. After lauding the strong existing economic and political relationship between the U.A.E. and the U.S., the Consul General focused his remarks on the U.A.E.’s relationship with the state of California in the fields of technology, energy, and healthcare.

Consul General Alkaabi also spoke to future partnership opportunities. Notably, he touched on Expo 2020 Dubai, explaining that the six-month World’s Fair presents an excellent platform for U.S. companies to reach a global audience, particularly providing access to people and markets from the broader Middle East, Africa, Asia, and South Asia.

Pictured from L to R: H.E. Hazza Alkaabi, U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles, and Mr. Danny Sebright, President, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council

Consul General Alkaabi said, “California has been a key business partner of the U.A.E. and I am honored to have the opportunity to deepen existing relationships with the Golden State. I also look forward to forging new ties with the L.A. business community. Together, our partnership will continue to advance mutual interests.”

Following official remarks, attendees engaged in a question and answer session with Consul General Alkaabi to learn about His Excellency’s goals for 2020, which include deepening engagement between the U.A.E. and California.

U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright concluded the luncheon by thanking His Excellency Alkaabi, the Viceroy Group, and the business community for attending the event and stressed the critical role Consul General Alkaabi and California businesses play in bolstering the U.S.-U.A.E. trade relationship.

The state of California enjoys strong bilateral ties with the U.A.E. In 2018, the state of California exported $1.4 billion worth of goods and services to the U.A.E., supporting an estimated 15,150 jobs in California. 2019 bilateral trade figures, which will be released soon, are expected to show modest growth over 2018.