Washington, D.C. – 31 October

The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a breakfast roundtable discussion on 31 October 2023 with Tanya Cole, the incoming Regional Senior Commercial Officer (RSCO) at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Ms. Cole discussed her background in both the public and private sectors and how this experience and understanding will support her in her new role as RSCO. She noted that transparent conversations such as these with her colleagues from the government and business community are important for helping her to better understand the U.A.E.’s business environment, opportunities for U.S. business, and the importance of U.A.E. foreign direct investment in the United States.

Today’s discussion provided Ms. Cole the opportunity to hear opportunities and concerns from key member companies that champion the bilateral relationship. Representatives from Baker Hughes, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Honeywell, and Mashreq spoke about corporate participation in COP28. Executives from CAE and L3Harris outlined the close aerospace and defense cooperation between the United States and the U.A.E., which will be on display during the Dubai Airshow this November. In addition, representatives from Merck and International SOS described the importance of dialogue and cooperation in the bilateral healthcare relationship, especially with regard to IP protection. Other member companies such as Parsons, FGS Global, and The Cohen Group added perspectives on the regional situation with Saudi Arabia and the I2U2 initiative.

Ms. Cole joins the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi immediately in advance of the United States’ participation in the Dubai Airshow and COP28. In her new role, she oversees the operations of four U.S. commercial missions in the U.A.E., Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman.

For more information about this event, please contact Alyssa Kristeller at akristeller@usuaebusiness.org.