Washington-The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted senior American business leaders for lunch on Monday in support of a senior-level commercial delegation visiting Washington from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).  The luncheon featured keynote remarks by Mr. Gautam Sashittal, Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, and an in-depth presentation by Ms. Krysta Fox, Director of DMCC.  The luncheon discussion was moderated by U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright who welcomed senior stakeholders from the Washington area and the broader U.S.-U.A.E. Business community.

Following an introduction from Mr. Sebright and Ms. Jennifer Miel from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the formal program commenced with keynote remarks delivered by DMCC CEO Mr. Sashittal, who discussed the importance of the delegation’s visit to a key market such as Washington.  Following Mr. Sashittal’s remarks, Ms. Fox delivered a presentation highlighting the opportunities and benefits available to U.S. and Washington-based companies in setting up a business enterprise in the emirate of Dubai.

“The U.A.E. and the U.S. are long-term economic partners and enjoy a robust trade and investment relationship that has grown dramatically in recent years,” said DMCC CEO Mr. Sashittal. “With one of the most open and dynamic economies in the world, the U.A.E. offers an attractive proposition for U.S. businesses and entrepreneurs, from service and trading companies to manufacturers and educational institutions, to gain traction in the Middle East region and access other potentially lucrative markets in Africa and South Asia.”

Left to Right: Mr. Gautam Sashittal, CEO, DMCC, Ms. Jennifer Miel, Executive Director, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Krysta Fox, Director DMCC, Mr. Danny Sebright, President, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council

During her presentation, Ms. Fox emphasized the important commercial role that DMCC plays as a leading hub for business in the U.A.E.  Highlighting its unrivaled digital and physical end-to end services and infrastructure model, Ms. Fox underscored the importance of DMCC as the largest free zone in the U.A.E. DMCC was also recently named “Global Free Zone of the Year” by Financial Times fDi.

Following Mr. Sashittal’s remarks and Fox’s presentation, the floor was opened for a question and answer session with the panel.  During the exchange, local executives were given the opportunity to engage the panel in discussions about commercial feasibility and the benefits of starting up their businesses at DMCC.  Topics covered during the Q&A session included: Cost savings of Washington-based businesses while operating out of DMCC, the effect of lower oil prices on DMCC’s growth, and challenges and opportunities for doing business in the U.A.E.

Sebright concluded the luncheon by thanking the honored speakers and the business community for joining the discussion.  Private business to business meetings between the delegation members and representatives from local companies were held thereafter.