Washington, D.C. — The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted an exclusive off-the-record policy discussion with a visiting senior delegation from the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) on Friday, October 11th in Washington, D.C.

The visiting delegation, led by DIFC CEO Jeffrey H. Singer, met with His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) Ambassador to the United States, former U.S. Secretary of Defense the Honorable William S. Cohen, Chairman and CEO of The Cohen Group, and business executives and senior government officials from both countries for the morning roundtable discussion moderated by Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council.

His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, U.A.E. Ambassador to the U.S. (center), with Jeffrey H. Singer, CEO of DIFC (left), and Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council (right), following the briefing.

“Opportunities to leverage trips to the United States to showcase DIFC as a destination for global business and investment are key to growing Dubai, and the U.A.E.’s, reputation as a financial hub and crossroads for international commerce with key stakeholders,” said Singer. “DIFC is committed to working with American and global businesses to find areas natural for commercial and financial partnership, and to opening the doors for further U.S.-U.A.E. trade and investment with a focus on Dubai’s economic growth.”

During the roundtable conversation, Singer highlighted DIFC’s strategic objectives and plans for enhancing Dubai’s already business-friendly corporate environment. Throughout the conversation, DIFC officials engaged American executives keen to grow international business practices in the Middle East and cultivate inbound foreign investment. The event also offered participants a unique chance to hear about DIFC’s strategy directly from officials driving its execution at the highest levels and benefit from hearing Ambassador Al Otaiba’s perspectives on U.S.-U.A.E. commerce, and regional geopolitical developments impacting business.

“The United States is a key trading partner to the U.A.E. and supporter of the country’s efforts to provide a world-class financial hub and corporate infrastructure to attract businesses looking to set up shop in the Emirates for international operations,” said Ambassador Al Otaiba. “DIFC is a key driver of these efforts to raise the profile of the U.A.E. as a key link to the global economy and safe haven for international business in the region.”

Jeffrey Singer, CEO of DIFC, briefs senior business and government officials in D.C.

“The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council was created to highlight avenues for increased trade and investment relations between the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates,” said Sebright. “Ambassador Al Otaiba, Secretary Cohen, and Jeff Singer’s presence this morning is a clear testament to the importance of enhancing communication between American and Emirati financial and commercial stakeholders supporting a strong bilateral relationship.”

The visiting DIFC delegation is currently in the United States to attend the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank summits wrapping up in Washington, and meet with U.S. financial services and asset management firms regarding potential partnership opportunities in the U.A.E. during their time in New York City and Washington, D.C.