Washington, D.C. – The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted an exclusive working breakfast featuring keynote remarks by the Honorable Michael H. Corbin, United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. The event facilitated a working discussion and brought together a diverse group of senior business executives representing companies that operate in both nations as well as officials representing U.S. and U.A.E. government entities. (Ambassador Corbin sought and received approval to participate in the event despite the U.S. Government shutdown.)
U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. Michael H. Corbin (left) shakes hands with Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, prior to addressing members of the U.S.-U.A.E. business and government community in D.C.
U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright kicked off the lunch by introducing Ambassador Corbin – who was in Washington for the fourth U.S-U.A.E. Economic Policy Dialogue (EPD). In his opening remarks, Sebright applauded Ambassador Corbin’s commitment to promoting U.S. trade and commercial interests in the U.A.E. and encouraging the exploration of corporate partnerships among U.S. and U.A.E. firms to boost already record-breaking bilateral trade numbers. In doing so, Sebright lauded Ambassador Corbin for placing business advocacy at the forefront of his work leading the U.S. mission to deepen the already strong relationship with the U.A.E.
In his off-the record remarks, Ambassador Corbin emphasized the unique value proposition that American companies of all sizes present to their established and prospective partners in the U.A.E. In doing so, Ambassador Corbin highlighted the U.A.E.’s commitment to corporate responsibility, development of non-oil economic sectors, domestic workforce development, and the nation’s investment in entrepreneurship as key areas for cooperation with the U.S. private sector.
“The U.A.E. is a global crossroads for international commerce and trade thanks to visionary leadership, world-class infrastructure, and a business-friendly corporate environment,” said Ambassador Corbin. “Couple that with the U.S. value proposition of supporting strong trade ties with quality training and technology transfer, and you have immense potential to build on record-breaking export numbers fueling the commercial relationship.”
Ambassador Corbin concluded his remarks by addressing the U.A.E.’s view of some of the geopolitical challenges and opportunities facing the Arabian Gulf, and the broader Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. In doing so, Ambassador Corbin commended the U.A.E. on its position as a stable, tolerant, and innovative partner in the maintenance of regional and international security.
Following Corbin’s formal remarks, executives and officials in attendance were given the opportunity to engage the Ambassador directly to address specific commercial and regulatory issues impacting U.S.-U.A.E. business and the relevant implications of continued turbulence in the broader MENA region. Topics of conversation that touched on regional geopolitical developments underpinning economic development in MENA included regulatory issues impacting business such as standards and intellectual property rights, commercial aviation, and broader corporate governance practices affecting U.S.-U.A.E. commerce.
During the conversation on standards, Sebright mentioned that the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, in partnership with the American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates (ABC Dubai) and AmCham Abu Dhabi, will lead a working group and work with the U.S. and U.A.E. public sector to raise the profile of the subject over the next several months.
Ambassador Corbin has served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates since July of 2011. Prior to his current Ambassadorship, Corbin served as a career officer in the U.S. Foreign Service, assuming various senior posts in Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo, Caracas, and Kuwait City since he joined the service in 1985.
