The Central Florida International Trade Office, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates Trade and Commercial Office, and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council welcomed a visiting delegation from the Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI) today in Orlando, Florida.  Dubai FDI is looking to establish new ties and showcase investment opportunities in the Emirate of Dubai.  Ibrahim Al Ahli, Director of Investment Promotion Division at Dubai FDI, led a roundtable discussion highlighting the opportunities and benefits available to U.S. companies, specifically Orlando-area-based organizations interested in learning more about setting up a business in Dubai, U.A.E.

Ibrahim Al Ahli, Director of Investment Promotion Division, Dubai FDI

“Dubai is an iconic example of successful economic diversification, entrepreneurship and co-existence of diverse nationalities,” said Mr. Al Ahli.  “Over 200 nationalities call Dubai their home, and they enjoy exceptional quality of living and vast growing opportunities, including a zero tax environment and 100 percent ownership of their businesses in 23 free zones across the city.”

Mohammad Al Falasi, Senior Sales Manager, Aviation, expounded on the discussion by highlighting the benefits of expanding American Businesses to Dubai South. Mr. Falasi discussed the impact Dubai South has had and will continue to have on the U.A.E. economy and underlined Dubai South’s Al Maktoum International Airport, which upon completion will be the largest airport in the world and the event site for World Expo 2020. Dubai South will have the capacity of handling upwards of 160 million passengers annually, which would significantly boost business opportunities for American companies looking to do business in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

The Honorable Teresa Jacobs, Mayor of Orange County, Florida
with Mohammad Al Falasi, Senior Sales Manager, Aviation, Dubai South

“North American companies that anchor themselves in our economic zones will find themselves operating in one of Dubai’s finest and most rewarding business environments related to almost every sphere of urban living,” said Mr. Al Falasi.  “Dubai South is honored to be part of this special mission of the Government of Dubai, and looks forward to share its best investment opportunities.”

Some of the sectors highlighted by the delegation included advanced technologies, film and digital media, aviation, aerospace and defense, life sciences and healthcare, logistics, and entertainment (theme parks).

“U.S.-U.A.E. bilateral trade exceeded $25.4 billion in 2015, surpassing all other U.S. trade partners in the broader region, including Israel, Turkey, and India. The U.A.E. continues to lead in global trade and investment throughout the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, even as the region witnesses increased turbulence,” said Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council.  “The U.A.E.’s business friendly environment, in particular Dubai’s state of the art infrastructure, highlights the success of niche sectors with special interest to the U.S. This includes aerospace, logistics, tourism, healthcare, and services that are beneficial to U.S. companies looking to expand their businesses into untapped markets.  The U.A.E. and Dubai continue to be a leading source of Foreign Direct Investment into the U.S. marketplace.”

Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), with the support of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, will continue to tour three other major U.S. cities this month in a bid to attract U.S. investment to the Emirates.  Dubai FDI’s tour of Dallas, Denver, and San Francisco will address public and private sector stakeholders over fourteen days with the objective of presenting new and emerging sectors within Dubai’s economic development strategy to U.S. businesses and to highlight the bilateral trade and investment relationship.