The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a networking session for the USA Pavilion @ Expo 2020 Fellows to discuss business opportunities in the U.A.E. and guidance on growing their businesses.

U.S. diplomatic missions in the Middle East and South Asia region selected the “USA Pavilion @ Expo 2020 Fellows” through a competitive application process run by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). PepsiCo, Vice Co-Chairman of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council‘s Board, established and facilitated the Fellows program in support of ORF.

The Expo Fellows Program is focused on empowering and educating young global leaders tackling the world’s most pressing socioeconomic issues by helping them hone their leadership and problem-solving skills. The majority of Fellows have already established start-ups in their own communities across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. The evening provided these fellows the chance to connect with representatives from the Business Council’s U.S. and U.A.E. membership and learn from their successes in the U.A.E. 

23 Expo Fellows and 13 U.A.E. and U.S. companies attended the evening’s events where Fellows showcased their ideas and explored opportunities in the U.A.E. ecosystem These companies brought an array of expertise, representing the financial, industrial, technology, legal, and agtech sectors, amongst others. These diverse representatives provided advice for SME establishment, giving the fellows a holistic approach to setting-up business in the U.A.E. 

Members and partners of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council in attendance included AeroFarms, ASPIRE, Citi, DEWA, Honeywell, HPE, ICLO, Morgan Lewis, and SRTIP. There were also several free zone and investment promotion agency participants, including DMCC, ADIO, Dubai Media City, and Dubai FDI. 

Following the conclusion of the “speed dating” session between Fellows and corporations, the Fellows were joined separately for dinner by Saud Al Nowais, U.A.E. Commercial Attaché at the U.A.E. Embassy in Washington, D.C., and Bob Clark, Commissioner General of the U.S. Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Mr. Al Nowais provided the Fellows with important insights into the U.A.E.’s strategic investment priorities and offered advice as to how start-ups might access the U.A.E. market. Mr. Al Nowais also provided a critical overview of the U.A.E.’s Projects of the 50 and the country’s goals for a more inclusive society.

For any questions, please contact:
Rachel Carrillo at rcarrillo@usuaebusiness.org