Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates (ABC), Dubai Chamber, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council co-hosted U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker at a luncheon in her honor on March 10.  Her Excellency Reem al-Hashimy, U.A.E. Minister of State delivered a keynote address that focused on Expo 2020 and the opportunities it will create.  Among the 200 plus guests, the luncheon welcomed senior business executives, U.S. and U.A.E. government officials, and local representatives.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker addresses U.S.-U.A.E. stakeholders in Dubai (photo courtesy of ABC Dubai)

Secretary Pritzker is currently in the region leading a week long Infrastructure Trade Mission to the Middle East along with a high-level delegation of diverse U.S. firms. This is the first visit of a sitting Secretary of Commerce with an accompanying trade mission to the region in fifteen years. The mission highlights export opportunities for U.S. businesses in three leading industry sectors with an emphasis on project management and engineering, renewable energy, smart grid and energy efficiency, and environmental technologies. Given the close relationship between the U.S. and the U.A.E., reinforcing the bond between the two countries is a priority, both economically and politically. Total exports from the U.S. to the U.A.E. reached a record-high of $24.6 billion in 2013, making the U.A.E. the largest trading partner regionally for the U.S. Additionally, the U.A.E. was the 17th largest export destination for U.S. goods worldwide in 2013. American businesses continue to capitalize on this momentum, while also strengthening the U.A.E.’s economy.

In Secretary Pritzker’s initial press release announcing the names of the 21 U.S. companies joining her trade mission she states, “As the country’s Chief Commercial Advocate, a key part of my job is to promote trade and investment and connect U.S. businesses with potential customers across the globe. The fact is that 95 percent of customers worldwide live outside U.S. borders, and that is why promoting exports is essential to our economic growth and job creation. The three countries we are visiting on our trade mission to the Gulf Region are among the top 50 export markets for the United States. Since the launch of the National Export Initiative in 2010, exports have increased 111% to the United Arab Emirates, 65% to Saudi Arabia, and 57% to Qatar. Clearly, the Gulf region is a critical area of focus for our nation and its businesses.”

U.A.E. Minister of State & Dubai Expo 2020 Preparatory Committee official Her Excellency Reem al-Hashimy delivers keynote remarks (photo courtesy of ABC Dubai)

The luncheon featured keynote speaker H.E. Reem al-Hashimy who is also a decreed member of the Expo 2020 Preparatory Committee, the executive body responsible for the U.A.E.’s international bid to host Expo 2020. Ramsey Jurdi, President of the American Business Council and Chadbourne & Parke International Partner stated, “Expo 2020 will showcase Dubai and the U.A.E. in a way that will further solidify Dubai’s reputation as an infrastructure, financial, tourism, and logistics hub. The American business community is excited and primed to strengthen their investments in Dubai and help deliver this event to the world. Secretary Pritzker’s visit to the Middle East further motivates U.S. businesses to focus on this region and the opportunities that Expo 2020 will bring.”

President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, Danny Sebright stated, “Trade is a key pillar supporting a strong, multi-dimensional, and growing bilateral relationship between the U.S. and U.A.E. The U.A.E. is a critical hub through which the U.S. connects to key markets in the broader Middle East, Africa, and Asia.”

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ABOUT THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL:

The American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates operates under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry and functions as a Chapter of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. Since its founding in 1985, the American Business Council has supported U.S. business interests in Dubai & the Northern Emirates and acts as a liaison between government and commercial enterprises.

The American Business Council is a 500 plus member-driven organization. Fortune 500 companies and key business leaders are well represented among the members of the American Business Council. The American Business Council provides a forum for understanding and interaction between the local business community and members of the American Business Council. Members are supported through a robust calendar of informational programs, round-table discussions, and business networking opportunities. For more information, visit: www.abcdubai.com.

ABOUT THE DUBAI CHAMBER:

Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a leading chamber of commerce in the Middle East and has kept pace with the rise of the Emirate of Dubai as one of the fastest growing cities in the world. This apex facilitator of business serves over 100,000 members with world-class services and helps the business community develop its commercial activities and compete in the global market.

Dubai Chamber’s mission is to represent, support, and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai, while, its strategic objectives are to create a favorable business environment, support the development of business, and promote Dubai as an international business hub. The Chamber plays a significant role in enhancing competitiveness, voicing, and influencing policies of interests to its members and to local, regional and international authorities. For more information, visit: www.dubaichamber.com.

ABOUT THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:

The United States Chamber of Commerce (USCC) is the world’s largest business organization representing the interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. Members range from mom-and-pop shops and local chambers to leading industry associations and large corporations. The Chamber is staffed with policy specialists, lobbyists, and lawyers. The US Chamber of Commerce was created on April 22, 1912 by President Taft and celebrated it’s 100th anniversary in 2012. For more information, visit: www.uschamber.com.

ABOUT THE U.S.-U.A.E. BUSINESS COUNCIL:

The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council is a progressive business advocacy organization solely committed to the advancement of the trade and commercial relationship between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council provides its diverse membership unparalleled access to senior decision makers in business and government in the U.A.E. and in the U.S. The Business Council actively works to ensure that the U.S. and U.A.E. remain attractive destinations for foreign direct investment by conducting effective policy advocacy, undertaking various trade promotion initiatives, providing ongoing updates on the business climate in both countries, and helping develop strategic relationships between U.S. and U.A.E. business and government officials. For more information, visit: www.usuaebusiness.org.