16 October 2023 – Dubai

Nearly 300 key members of the business community in the U.A.E. turned out in force to attend a reception hosted by the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council in honor of Ambassador Martina Strong on the evening of Monday, October 16th in Dubai. The event provided Business Council member companies and friends the opportunity to meet the newly arrived U.S. Ambassador and to hear her thoughts on the business environment and the opportunities for future growth. The event took place on the first day of GITEX, now the world’s largest global technology exhibition at which U.S. and U.A.E. companies have a significant presence. The focus of this year’s GITEX is Artificial Intelligence, represented by the tech community among others who attended the reception in honor of the Ambassador. 

Ambassador Strong told the audience that she has hit the ground running during her first month in the new job.  She pledged to be a strong advocate and voice for U.S. business interests in the U.A.E. and she praised the strong business and commercial partnerships that have been forged in the U.A.E.  She underscored the importance of the U.A.E. as a growing global hub for U.S. business and she highlighted next month’s COP28 stating that U.S. business will play an even more important role in tackling the challenges of climate change at this global forum. 

Ambassador Strong affirmed that commercial and business ties are a cornerstone of the U.S.-U.A.E. bilateral relationship. She remarked that it is a dynamic time to be doing business in the U.A.E. While noting that it a difficult time in the region, she expressed optimism that the U.S. business community will continue to forge new and expanded partnerships with Emirati companies as evidenced by strong U.S. participation at this year’s GITEX. 

Business Council President Danny Sebright reiterated that Ambassador Strong is a critical and passionate advocate for the U.S. business community and will seek to deepen the bilateral trade and commercial relationship. He cited her extensive diplomatic background and her most recent post as Chargé d’Affaires in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mr. Sebright outlined the impact our member companies are making in a number of areas, particularly in renewable energy and sustainable finance ahead of COP28. Mr. Sebright welcomed Ambassador Strong’s commitment to deepen partnerships in these key areas. 

For more information about this event, please contact Matthew Gardell at mgardell@usuaebusiness.org.