U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Hosts Luncheon in Washington, D.C. with U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. John Rakolta

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The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a luncheon on February 24th in Washington, D.C. with U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates John Rakolta, Jr. at the offices of Akin Gump, a leading global American law firm and member of the Business Council.

Several months after assuming his post in Abu Dhabi, the event provided an opportunity for Ambassador Rakolta to engage in substantive dialogue on the U.S.-U.A.E. commercial and trade relationship and U.S. government priorities in the U.A.E. and Gulf region with senior executives from U.S. and U.A.E. companies as well as select D.C. think tank leaders.

From L to R: U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates John Rakolta Jr. and U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright

Ambassador Rakolta highlighted the importance of the U.S.-U.A.E. commercial relationship, which spans many different business verticals, and his eagerness to further expand trade and investment ties between the two countries. He cited recently released U.S. Census Bureau 2019 trade figures making the U.A.E. the largest export market for U.S. goods for the 11th consecutive year.

After praising the strong existing U.S.-U.A.E. economic and political relationship, Ambassador Rakolta focused his remarks on what he sees as challenges and opportunities for U.S. companies in the U.A.E., and for the overall relationship.

Ambassador Rakolta also discussed U.S. participation at Expo 2020 Dubai, which was made possible thanks to the generous support of the U.A.E. Government, stating it will be a great opportunity for American companies to showcase their innovation and creativity as well as pursue new business partnerships.

At lunch, attendees also engaged in a question and answer session with Ambassador Rakolta to learn more about recent business and political developments in the U.A.E. and his priorities for 2020.

In 2019, the U.S. and the U.A.E. conducted $24.4 billion in total trade and total U.S. exports to the U.A.E. rose to $20.03 billion reflecting the strength of bilateral commercial relationship.

U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright concluded the luncheon by thanking Ambassador Rakolta, Akin Gump, and the business leaders for attending the event and for their commitment to the U.S.-U.A.E. bilateral relationship.