Washington, D.C. — The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, in partnership with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C., the American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and AmCham Abu Dhabi, hosted U.A.E. Minister of Economy His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri in Washington, D.C. on Monday. The closed-door event, emceed by U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright, ABC Dubai President Ramsey Jurdi, and AmCham Chairman Matthew Byrd, featured remarks by Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Charles H. Rivkin and a panel discussion on innovation and entrepreneurship with Emirati business leaders from the Minister’s delegation.
“I am honored to visit the United States to meet with innovative business and government stakeholders across the country, accompanied by a distinguished group of Emirati thought leaders,” said Minister Al Mansouri. “Washington, D.C., Seattle, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles all have unique offerings and key elements of the entrepreneurial culture we are working to promote in the U.A.E.”
Left to Right: ABC Dubai President Ramsey Jurdi, U.A.E. Minister H.E. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic & Business Affairs Charles H. Rivkin, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright, and AmCham Abu Dhabi Chairman Matthew Byrd pose following the luncheon in D.C. (photo: Nick Khazal Photography)
“Minister Al Mansouri’s visit highlights the level of importance placed on enhancing trade, business, and economic ties between the two countries by the U.S. and U.A.E. governments,” said Sebright. “AmCham Abu Dhabi, ABC Dubai, and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council were honored to work with the U.A.E. Embassy in Washington, D.C. to deliver a platform for high-level stakeholders to discuss these areas of commercial partnership and opportunity.”
Following words of welcome from Sebright, Jurdi, and Byrd, Assistant Secretary Rivkin introduced Minister Al Mansouri. In doing so, Assistant Secretary Rivkin underscored the importance of the U.S.-U.A.E. Economic Policy Dialogue – a biannual government-to-government summit to discuss key issues – and the strength of economic ties between the two countries across the industrial spectrum. Before yielding the floor to Minister Al Mansouri, Assistant Secretary Rivkin emphasized the U.A.E.’s role as a regional hub for commerce, innovation, trade, travel, and tourism.
After Minister Al Mansouri’s formal remarks, a panel of business leaders from the U.A.E. discussed innovation and entrepreneurship in the U.A.E., in the broader Middle East North Africa region, and within the context of U.S.-U.A.E. commercial and investment partnership. The panelists included: Shurooq Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi, Dubai Exports’ Saed Al Awadi, Tecom Investments’ Majed Al Suwaidi, DP World –Turn8’s Yousif Al Mutawa, and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s Director of Foreign Trade & Export Dr. Adeeb Alafeefi. Sebright moderated the panel, pulsing Emirati business leaders from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah about the development of a startup environment in the U.A.E. and best practices for U.S.-U.A.E. investment and partnership.
Minister Al Mansouri and his senior delegation will continue to hold meetings with public and private sector stakeholders in D.C. before traveling to the West Coast to attend similar engagements in Seattle, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles to round out the week.
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About the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates:
Since its establishment many years ago, the Embassy in Washington has been an important resource to strengthen and deepen the already excellent relationship between the U.A.E. and the U.S. Our nations’ complementary resources have increased economic partnerships, expanded security cooperation, and fueled innovative cross-cultural programs and investments. The Embassy, on behalf of the people of the United Arab Emirates, continues to look for opportunities to engage with our friends and hosts in communities across the U.S. Website: www.uae-embassy.org
About the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council:
The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council is a progressive business advocacy organization solely committed to the advancement of the trade and commercial relationship between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The Business Council actively works to ensure that the U.S. and U.A.E. remain attractive destinations for foreign direct investment by conducting effective policy advocacy, undertaking various trade promotion initiatives, providing ongoing updates on the business climate in both countries, and helping develop strategic relationships between U.S. and U.A.E. business and government officials. Website: www.usuaebusiness.org
About the American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates:
The American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates (ABC) functions under the auspices of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and functions as the Dubai Chapter of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The ABC represents U.S. business interests in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, while maintaining strong ties with the leadership of the communities where members live and work. Website: www.abcdubai.com
About AmCham Abu Dhabi:
AmCham Abu Dhabi (the trademark of the American Business Group of Abu Dhabi) is a member of the global network of American Chambers of Commerce. The AmCham Abu Dhabi mission is to promote commerce, investment and goodwill between the United States of America, the membership, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. AmCham Abu Dhabi is an independent, not-for-profit association comprised of Fortune 500 corporations, small and medium sized companies and prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs. AmCham Abu Dhabi provides a uniquely situated platform through which executives pursue and discuss issues impacting business operations between the U.S. and U.A.E. Substantive government advocacy programs, educational and networking programs and customized business service are just a few of the many benefits AmCham Abu Dhabi provides its members. Through the support of its members, AmCham Abu Dhabi has become the recognized voice of U.S. business in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Website: www.amchamabudhabi.org
