(Abu Dhabi)–The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council and the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) welcomed senior business executives and government officials on Sunday for an exclusive reception honoring Emirati and U.S. participants at the 2016 Global Aerospace Summit.  Held at the Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Sunday’s reception featured keynote remarks by Badr Al-Olama, Senior Vice President for Mubadala and CEO of Strata Manufacturing PJSC, the Honorable Barbara A. Leaf, U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E., and David Melcher, President & CEO of AIA.

U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President, Danny Sebright with U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E., the Honorable Barbara Leaf, Senior Vice President of Mubadala and CEO of Strata Manufacturing, Badr Al-Olama and President & CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, David Melcher

Mr. Al-Olama’s keynote remarks stressed the importance of the Global Aerospace Summit in bringing stakeholders together to invest in solutions for challenges that impact the aerospace industry. Mr. Al-Olama underscored the importance of Strata, the only manufacturer of aircraft composite parts in the Gulf, in furthering the Emirate’s economic diversification plan. He highlighted that Strata’s construction of a second plant in Al-Ain will develop a new generation of aircraft components. Mr. Al-Olama also emphasized the important steps taken by Strata and their U.S. partners such as Boeing to enhance the robust relationship between U.S. and U.A.E. businesses.

Mr. Al-Olama also described the first summit on the future of global manufacturing (GMIS) that will be held in Abu Dhabi from 10-12 October, and invited all participants to consider attending this important gathering of experts on manufacturing from numerous sectors.

Following scene-setting remarks from U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright, Mr. Melcher spoke about the U.S.-U.A.E. commercial aerospace and manufacturing relationship, the U.S.’s aerospace goals in 2016, and importance of the bilateral relationship with the U.A.E.

“The U.A.E.’s political leadership continues to push the boundaries in creating a successful aerospace logistics hub that would service Africa, the Middle East, and Asia and its business leadership has continued to look to America to provide world-class products and services in pursuit of this goal,” said Mr. Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council. Sebright praised the U.A.E. visionary leadership and commitment to driving partnerships with global best in class companies.

“The summit provides an outstanding opportunity for industry leaders to discuss the global factors that are driving the growth of our complex industry,” said Mr. Melcher, President and CEO of AIA. “And what better place to hold this program than the U.A.E., whose own growth in aerospace and defense and significance as a partner, supplier, and customer of the United States has been nothing short of phenomenal.”

In her remarks, Ambassador Leaf applauded Mr. Al-Olama for his work in helping to develop and diversify the U.A.E.’s burgeoning economy as oil prices continue to stagnate.  Ambassador Leaf pointed to the third Global Aerospace Summit as evidence of the U.A.E.’s excellence in executing long-term strategies by relating to the achievements in becoming an international aerospace hub.  Ambassador Leaf outlined many recent steps taken by the U.S. Government to work with Emirati counterparts to streamline cooperation and remove obstacles to future cooperation.

“We share a dynamic commercial relationship that generates nearly $25 billion in two-way trade,” said Ambassador Leaf, U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. The U.A.E. has been the United States’ largest export market in the Arab World for the last seven years. Since 2000, the U.A.E. has purchased $200 billion in deliveries and orders in U.S. commercial aircraft, services and engines.  On the defense side, the U.A.E. is one of America’s largest customers under the Foreign Military Sales program with cases valued over $20 billion.

The reception concluded with Mr. Sebright wishing companies a successful week and thanking the distinguished speakers for their time.