U.A.E. Consul General Visits Washington State and Builds on Strong Ties While Looking to the Future
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H.E. Hessa Al Shuwaihi, U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles

“Emiratis and Washingtonians are both people who build things that were not supposed to be possible. And we keep showing up for each other long after the ribbon-cutting is over.” — H.E. Hessa Al Shuwaihi, U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles

During her October 26–27 visit, Consul General Al Shuwaihi met with Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, representatives of the Washington State Department of Commerce and Governor Bob Ferguson’s office, and leaders of innovative Washington-based companies.

From left to right: Androu Sidhom, Head of Trade & Economic Affairs, U.A.E. Consulate General in Los Angeles; Gabriella Buono, Chief Impact Officer, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; H.E. Hessa Al Shuwaihi, U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles; Karim Gamal, Executive Director, U.A.E. Embassy Trade & Investment Office; David Greenhalgh, Executive Vice President, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council; and Shannon Braddock, President and CEO, Greater Seattle Partners.

Welcoming the Consul General to Seattle

The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, in partnership with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Greater Seattle Partners, hosted a reception honoring H.E. Hessa Al Shuwaihi, U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles, on October 26, 2026, at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. The reception helped anchor Her Excellency’s Washington State visit, focused on strengthening economic ties and exploring opportunities in advanced technology, aerospace, energy, and healthcare. The reception brought together leaders from Washington State’s business and civic communities to celebrate the longstanding U.A.E.–Washington State partnership and explore opportunities to expand trade, investment, and commercial cooperation. Guests included Angela Birney, Mayor of Redmond, Washington, home to Microsoft.

In her remarks, Consul General Al Shuwaihi highlighted the breadth of the relationship, from Emirates’ Seattle service and Boeing aircraft orders to Microsoft’s and Amazon Web Services’ investments in the U.A.E. She noted that:

  • Emirates launched the first nonstop service between the Middle East and the Pacific Northwest in 2012 and is Boeing’s largest customer for 777 aircraft worldwide.
  • Microsoft expanded its U.A.E. investment commitment from $7.3 billion to $15.2 billion through 2029 to develop AI and cloud infrastructure.
  • Amazon Web Services opened a U.A.E. data center region with a planned $5 billion investment through 2036.
  • Washington State’s exports to the U.A.E. supported more than 19,000 jobs in the state between 2023 and 2025.


She emphasized that these partnerships support jobs, drive innovation, and continue to deepen despite regional challenges. Thanking the Seattle community for its welcome, she underscored the shared ambition of Emiratis and Washingtonians to build what once seemed impossible.

From left to right: David Greenhalgh, Executive Vice President, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council;  Androu Sidhom, Head of Trade & Economic Affairs, U.A.E. Consulate General in Los Angeles; H.E. Hessa Al Shuwaihi, U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles; Denny Heck, Washington Lieutenant Governor; Karim Gamal, Executive Director, U.A.E. Embassy Trade & Investment Office

Deepening U.A.E.–Washington State Commercial Ties

In her meeting with Washington Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, Consul General Al Shuwaihi discussed the shared international outlook and complementary economic strengths of the U.A.E. and Washington State. Lieutenant Governor Heck described Washington as the most trade-driven economy among the 50 states, while Her Excellency highlighted the U.A.E.’s similar orientation toward global trade and investment.

A subsequent meeting with representatives of the Washington State Department of Commerce and Governor Bob Ferguson’s office explored opportunities to expand trade and investment in aerospace, defense, healthcare, clean energy, and advanced technology. 

The visit also included engagements with Washington-based companies to explore opportunities for deeper cooperation in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, healthcare innovation, and future energy. In addition, Consul General Al Shuwaihi toured Boeing’s Everett factory, highlighting the longstanding aviation partnership between Washington State and the U.A.E. 

Together, the meetings demonstrated the strength of existing commercial ties and the potential to build new partnerships across industries shaping the future of both economies.

From left to right: Isabelle DeWulf, Managing Director, Small Business Export Assistance, Washington State Department of Commerce; David Greenhalgh, Executive Vice President, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council; Andrea Chartock, Assistant Director, Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, Washington State Department of Commerce; H.E. Hessa Al Shuwaihi, U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles; Amanda Fisher, Director of International Relations and Protocol, Office of Governor Bob Ferguson; Kirk Esmond, Innovation and Industry Partnerships Director, Washington State Department of Commerce; Androu Sidhom, Head of Trade & Economic Affairs, U.A.E. Consulate General in Los Angeles

About the Consul General

Before her appointment in Los Angeles, H.E. Hessa Al Shuwaihi led communications and public diplomacy at the U.A.E. Embassy in Washington, D.C., and served at the U.A.E. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her academic background spans diplomacy, international affairs, and applied media, with qualifications from Zayed University, the Higher Colleges of Technology, and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.

For information about this visit and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s programming, please contact Natalie Triche at ntriche@usuaebusiness.org.