The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council continued its fall programming with the second of two “Back to Business” receptions on the evening of Thursday, September 12th at the Arts Club in Dubai. U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. Martina Strong, CEO of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) Hadi Badri, General Manager of Microsoft U.A.E. and co-Vice Chair of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s Board of Directors Naim Yazbeck, CEO of Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths, and Executive Vice President Passenger Sales & Country Management Nabil Sultan gave remarks at this reception in which they outlined the Dubai’s ambitious development plans and opportunities for bilateral partnership. This reception mirrored an event which the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council held on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi featuring Ambassador Strong, Deputy Group CEO of Mubadala Investment Company and co-Chair of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Board of Directors H.E. Waleed Al Muhairi, and 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.

Ambassador Strong highlighted opportunities to build on the robust bilateral business relationship between the U.A.E. and the United States, particularly in the areas of logistics, infrastructure, transport, and more recently, AI and tech. She then introduced her team at the Dubai Consulate, who are eager 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. strategic partnership. A highlight of these introductions was the new U.S. Consul General for Dubai, Robert Raines and his debut in the community following his accreditation earlier in the day. Consul General Raines spoke about his eagerness to work with the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s membership and to get back to business. Ambassador Strong concluded by once again thanking 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 of the business communities in both the United States and U.A.E.

Hadi Badri, who is charged with heading the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 at the DET, discussed the goal of Dubai’s leadership under the D33 agenda to position Dubai as one of the top three global cities by 2030. He noted how business licenses issuing is up 40% with year on year growth for the past four years, and Dubai’s ranking as the #1 tourist destination for 3 years in a row. Hadi emphasized the importance of U.S. business to the success of achieving Dubai’s ambitions.

Naim Yazbeck from Microsoft, who is also co-Vice Chair of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s Board of Directors, discussed 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. He referenced Microsoft’s landmark $1.5 billion investment in G42 as just one small portion of Microsoft’s commitment to accelerate AI development and global expansion in partnership with the U.A.E..

Paul Griffiths cited the return of passenger traffic at Dubai airports to pre-pandemic levels, noting that Dubai International Airport (DXB) saw a record 44.9 million travelers pass through its terminals in the first half of this year, putting the world’s busiest airport for international travel back on track to beat its all-time record. He discussed Dubai’s newly announced 128 billion AED ($35 billion) plan to make Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) five times the size of DXB. He also noted the importance of U.S. business and U.S. consumer and tourist traffic to the overall growth of the two airports.

Nabil Sultan highlighted the continued growth of Emirates as a global brand and how it positions Dubai as the hub for global trade movements. He emphasized the importance of Emirates in distributing the COVID-19 vaccine.

U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright outlined the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s programming schedule for the next three months, highlighting the core themes of AI, Space collaboration, healthcare and the life sciences, and sustainable finance. Sebright also introduced new leadership and members on the Board of Directors, including GE Aerospace and GE Healthcare. Finally, Sebright thanked U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council members and the Board’s Executive Committee for the support and leadership they provide to the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council.

For more information about this event, please contact Adam Karadsheh at akaradsheh@usuaebusiness.org.