Washington, DC

The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a briefing and reception for senior officials from the Critical National Infrastructure Authority as part of their delegation visit to the United Sates.  The event facilitated introductions for the delegation with leading Business Council company member representatives.

The purpose of the delegation’s trip to the U.S. was to build ties with their American counterparts and to survey U.S. industry’s best practices amid increasing global security challenges. The two sides exchanged insights on the best ways that U.S. industry can support the U.A.E.’s efforts to protect its infrastructure.  For instance, CNIA officials said their growing security needs are expanding their organization’s needs for skilled human resources. The U.A.E. officials explained that CNIA is relatively new and is suffering from a shortage of trained U.A.E. nationals

Danny E. Sebright, the President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, mapped out the role that the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council plays in advocating stronger bilateral economic and strategic ties between the two countries.   The event was part of the Council’s effort to promote new ties in the security sector and business ties between the U.S. and the U.A.E.  The Emirates’ rapidly expanding infrastructure sector is driving the country’s transformation into a global hub for ports, infrastructure, and aerospace services.  Sebright said that “the U.A.E. is quickly becoming not only consumer of security, but also a provider of security.”

As the country’s infrastructure sector grows, so do its security needs — signifying the importance of this delegation’s trip. The meeting attracted over 50 executives and government officials from the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates.