Today, the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council and World Trade Center Utah concluded a two-day “Virtual Trade Mission” to the U.A.E. This series of five webinars occurred at the same time that the Governor of Utah previously had been scheduled to lead a trade delegation of 50 business leaders from the State of Utah for a week of high-profile meetings and events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The webinars provided Utah companies with an introduction to the U.A.E, its business environment, and opportunities for partnership in key business verticals in anticipation of the rescheduling of the Governor’s mission when circumstances allow.

The Virtual Trade Mission kicked off on Monday April 27th with a seminar about the U.A.E.’s business environment and opportunities for U.S. companies that was attended by nearly 100 people. Miles Hansen, President and CEO of World Trade Center Utah, opened the session by reviewing how WTC Utah is helping companies through the current pandemic and stressing the importance for companies to begin identifying and pursuing new sources of revenue and international growth now as a critical path towards economic recovery. He also reiterated WTC Utah’s strong intent to follow through with the trade mission to the U.A.E. as soon as feasible and WTC Utah’s commitment to facilitate virtual trade and investment matchmaking before widespread international travel resumes.

Franz Kolb, Director of International Trade and Diplomacy in the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, then welcomed attendees on behalf of Utah Governor Gary Herbert and stressed the Governor’s continued commitment to augment relations with the U.A.E.

Following the opening remarks, Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, gave background about the Business Council and the work it does to advance trade and commercial ties between the U.S. and U.A.E. Next, Mr. Sebright offered attendees a detailed presentation about the U.A.E.’s economy, opportunities for doing business, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business environment.

On the second day of the mission, Tuesday April 28th, WTC Utah and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council facilitated a series of four webinars covering the following business verticals: energy, healthcare & life sciences, aerospace & defense, and technology & entrepreneurship. Mr. Sebright chaired each of these interactive discussions and fielded questions provided by attendees.

These breakout sessions were intended to help Utah businesses understand the key players in each sector so that they could strategize business engagement plans in the coming months with the help of the Business Council and WTC Utah.