The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council launched its fall programming this week with two ‘Back to Business’ receptions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Speakers at both receptions highlighted opportunities to build on the robust bilateral business relationship between the U.A.E. and the United States, particularly following U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s visit to the U.A.E. in May 2025. The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council also launched its new Guide to Doing Business in the U.A.E., published in partnership with U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Founding Member and prominent global law firm Morgan, Lewis, and Bockius.

The Dubai Back to Business Reception on Monday September 8, 2025 at 1920 Bar at the ICD Brookfield Place, U.S. Consul General Robert Raines highlighted opportunities to build on the robust bilateral business relationship between the U.A.E. and the United States, and:

• Discussed the impact of President Trump’s visit to the U.A.E., saying it indicated the United States’ long-term commitment to working with the U.A.E. through commercial and diplomatic partnerships.
• Thanked the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council for its relentless promotion of the business relationship and fostering mutual understanding of the needs, concerns, and suggestions for the business communities in both the United States and U.A.E.
• Welcomed U.S. Charge d’Affaires Eric Gaudiosi, who introduced his team at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, noting they are keen to work with the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s membership on the long-term vision for the U.S.-U.A.E. stategic partnership.

Khaled Hashem, President of Honeywell in the Middle East and Africa, discussed the accelerating bilateral business ties between the U.S. and U.A.E. in sectors such as AI, advanced technology, energy, and infrastructure. He also:

• Pointed to the over 1,500 U.S. firms with a presence in the U.A.E. as a strong validator for bilateral business relations.
• Praised the U.A.E.’s global leadership in AI and infrastructure advancement through projects like Stargate U.A.E. which is positioning the U.A.E. as a global hub for advanced technology.
• Underscored Honeywell’s commitment to advancing energy demands through its state-of-the-art asset monitoring and predictive analytics platform to maximize asset efficiency and support the delivery of ADNOC’s 2030 strategy.

From L to R: Khaled Hashem, President of Honeywell in Middle East and Africa & co-Vice Chair of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council; U.S. Consul General in Dubai Robert Raines; Dr. Nejib Ben-Khedher, Head of Emirates Skywards at Emirates; Eric Gaudiosi, Charge d’Affaires at U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi; and Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council

Dr. Nejib Ben-Khedher, Head of Emirates Skywards, at Emirates highlighted the continued growth of Emirates as a global brand and the ways it is positioning Dubai as the hub for global trade movements. Dr. Nejib also previewed Emirates plans for the upcoming Dubai Airshow from 17-21 November. Dr. Nejib also:

• Noted Emirates’ expansion to 12 U.S. cities, supporting logistics, trade and mobility between the U.S. and U.A.E. as well as U.S. job growth and tourism to the U.A.E.
• Remarked on the aviation sector’s growing importance in the U.A.E. which is projected to account for approximately 32% of Dubai’s GDP by 2030, with a total contribution of Dh 196 billion. 
• Asserted Emirates’ commitment to enabling bilateral trade, travel, logistics, and tourism between the U.S. and U.A.E.

At the Abu Dhabi Back to Business reception occured on Wednesday, September 10, 2025  at the Rosewood Hotel in Abu Dhabi and included remarks from U.S. Charge d’Affaires Eric Gaudiosi, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and co-Vice Chair of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Board of Directors Hana Al Rostamani, and Microsoft Middle East & Africa Chief Strategy & Business Officer Maitha Al Suwaidi.

U.S. Charge d’Affaires Eric Gaudiosi highlighted the burgeoning bilateral partnership at the Abu Dhabi Back to Business Reception, and:

• Spotlighted President Trump’s announcement of over $200 billion in commercial deals between the United States and U.A.E. during his visit, building on a 10-year $1.4 trillion investment framework the U.A.E. previously announced for the United States.
• Emphasized the clear strategic goals and ambition of the U.A.E. leadership that translates into opportunities for U.S. companies to partner and deliver solutions in the areas of logistics, infrastructure, transport, and more recently, AI and tech.
• Underscored the enduring significance of bilateral security cooperation between the U.S. and U.A.E.
• Highlighted Abu Dhabi’s partnership with Disney to develop a theme park projected to open as early as 2030.

Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank and co-Vice Chair of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Board of Directors Hana Al Rostamani discussed FAB’s key priorities for the next year and areas of enhanced cooperation following the new wave of U.S.-U.A.E. agreements and financial pledges, and:

• Emphasized bilateral collaboration in sustainable finance, AI and advanced technology, and green bonds.
• Affirmed that the U.A.E. remains a key destination for global investment in technology, energy, and innovation, with Project Stargate serving as a prime example.
• Underscored the strategic importance of the U.S. market for FAB and its intention to pursue continued growth and expansion there.

Microsoft Middle East & Africa Chief Strategy & Business Officer Maitha Al Suwaidi remarked on the rapid development of the U.A.E.’s tech sector and opportunities for U.S. companies to leverage the U.A.E.’s infrastructure, connectivity, and relationships to access new markets, and:

• Noted U.S.–U.A.E. commercial relations are anchored in shared interests and a forward-looking commitment to mutual prosperity.
• Highlighted Microsoft’s  $1.5 billion partnership with G42 in April 2024 as a concrete example of its commitment to advancing AI innovation in the U.A.E. and supporting bilateral commercial partnerships.
• Showcased Microsoft’s dedication to growing AI innovation via commercial partnerships with BlackRock, MGX, NVIDIA, and xAI under the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP).

During both receptions, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright outlined the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s key programming schedule for the coming months as well as the release of its new Guide to Doing Business in the U.A.E. Mr. Sebright also highlighted programming during GITEX, ADIPEC, the Dubai Airshow, and Abu Dhabi Finance Week, with particular emphasis on the U.S. Department of Commerce-certified airport trade mission to the U.A.E., and the Board of Directors meetings in Dubai.

To learn more about the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s programming, please contact Mr. Adam Karadsheh at akaradsheh@usuaebusiness.org.