19-22 September 2022
 From left to right: H.E. Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI; Mac Fadlallah, Partner, Akin Gump; Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council |
| The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council supported a visiting Dubai FDI delegation to the United States from 19-22 September by convening three seminars in honor of leadership from Dubai free zones, government entities, and businesses. In partnership with Akin Gump, the Business Council hosted “Dubai Advantage” seminars in New York City and Washington, D.C. for over 50 unique businesses in each location. Representatives from Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing, Dubai FDI, Dubai Industries and Exports, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai CommerCity, Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai Multi Commodities Center, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Holding, Global Business Corporation, DP World, and Emirates SkyCargo all gave in depth presentations at these events on their institutions and what they can offer U.S. companies. Speakers underscored that the U.A.E. is the largest trade partner for the United States in the Middle East region, and can serve as a gateway to over 2.4 billion consumers in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia thanks to its strategic location and transportation infrastructure, serviced by the likes of leading port operator DP World and Emirates Airline. Moreover, they outlined the unique offerings of a wide range of free zones that facilitate and incentivize doing business across particular industries and sectors:Dubai CommerCity, which is a new all-in-one e-commerce hub Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), a leading global financial free zone that provides companies with a world-class legal and regulatory frameworkDubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC), which has rose to global prominence not just as a free zone and property developer, but through its established business servicesDubai Silicon Oasis, which promotes modern technology-based industriesThe Global Business Corporation of DP World, which leverages its connections with one of the world’s biggest ports At the same time, speakers discussed how Dubai is not just a hub for business but also for tourism and for the creative industries, attracting “creatives” from across the region and the world. Throughout, presenters emphasized that the delegates were “one team” that collectively work closely together to help U.S. companies establish themselves and flourish in the Emirate. |
 From left to right: Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council; H.E. Fahad Gergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI; and Ibrahim Ahli, Director Investment Promotions & Attraction, Dubai FDI. |
| The Dubai FDI delegation also met with a delegation of Florida businesses and government officials visiting Washington, D.C. Dubai FDI leadership spoke about the benefits Dubai can offer Ft. Lauderdale businesses, and Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis and his team spoke about the advantages of doing business in the Ft. Lauderdale area and the numerous opportunities for mutual investment between Dubai and Ft. Lauderdale. This event continued a flurry of recent engagement between the U.A.E. and the Sunshine State. The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a discussion and reception in June in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in honor of visiting U.A.E. Minister of State for Foreign Trade His Excellency Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi. This event built on the strong relations between the state of Florida and the U.A.E. developed over the course of multiple official visits to the U.A.E., including by the Mayors of Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, and Miami in March of this year. |
 H.E. Fahad Gergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI; Mayor Dean Trantalis of Ft. Lauderdale; and Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council with members of the Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. |
| For more information on the Business Council’s programing, please contact Graham Reitman at greitman@usuaebusiness.org. |
