The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C. co-hosted U.A.E. Minister of Economy His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri in Seattle, Washington on Wednesday. The closed-door breakfast event — supported by the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle — featured keynote remarks by Minister Al Mansouri, followed by a panel on innovation and entrepreneurship with senior Emirati members of His Excellency’s official delegation. The policy discussion attracted business and government stakeholders from across the Northwestern United States and broader U.S.-U.A.E. community.

U.A.E. Consulate in Los Angeles Consul General Abdulla Alsaboosi introduced Minister Al Mansouri for his keynote speech following welcome remarks by U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright and Trade Development Alliance President Sam Kaplan. In his introductory remarks, Alsaboosi underscored the development of entrepreneurial partnerships between American and Emirati industry built on the foundation of strong trade ties between the two countries. Alsaboosi concluded his introduction by applauding Minister Al Mansouri’s hallmark decision to bring a delegation focused on innovation to the U.S.

Left to Right: U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright, U.A.E. Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles Abdulla Alsaboosi, and Trade Development Alliance President Sam Kaplanpose following the luncheon in Seattle.

During his keynote remarks, Minister Al Mansouri provided the audience with an overview of key economic, trade, and business developments in the U.A.E. and successful U.S.-U.A.E. partnerships; citing U.A.E.’s Vision 2021 economic development plan and World Expo 2020 as two key roadmaps for innovation in the Emirates over the next few years.

“The U.A.E.’s leadership is committed to working with our American partners to strengthen ties between business and government stakeholders in both countries with the goal of connecting innovators and broadening understanding between our communities,” said Minister Al Mansouri. “Seattle is a shining example of an intersection between traditional industrial ingenuity and cutting-edge technological innovation – home to vast potential for further U.S.-U.A.E. collaboration. The U.A.E. is a proud customer of a large number of commercial aircraft but the relationship with the city of Seattle and State of Washington extends into many other sectors, including a significant amount of Agricultural imports.”

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: STRATA CEO Badr Al Olama, i360 CEO Kamal Hassan, Abu Dhabi Department Economic Development Director of Foreign Trade and Export Dr. Adeeb Alafeefi, ADNOC Manager, E&P Planning Division Salem Al Matroushi, and Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) CEO His Excellency Marwan Al Sarkal. During the discussion, Emirati panelists provided unique perspectives on the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation to the country’s goal of becoming a hub for thought leadership and key link in the global supply chain.

Members of U.A.E. Minister of Economy Al Mansouri’s innovation delegation discuss U.A.E.’s entrepreneurial culture during panel moderated by U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright

“Minister Al Mansouri and his esteemed delegation of Emirati business leaders are in Seattle to meet with core industry and government partners as well as to forge new relationships with the region’s sharpest innovators,” said Alsaboosi. “The U.A.E. Embassy in D.C. and Consulate in Los Angeles are honored to work with the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council and the Trade Development Alliance’s support to provide a platform for the Minister and his delegation to share their ideas and thoughts on opportunities for further commercial partnership with leaders from U.S. industry.”

Minister Al Mansouri and his senior delegation will continue to hold meetings with public and private sector stakeholders in Seattle before traveling to California to attend similar engagements in 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 Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle:

The Trade Development Alliance is Greater Seattle’s premiere international organization. We promote the Greater Seattle region internationally for business and trade, connect our companies and institutions with international opportunities and educate the public on topics related to the international economy. The Trade Alliance is a regional partnership of Snohomish County, King County, Pierce County, Port of Everett, Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, City of Everett, City of Bellevue, City of Seattle, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and organized labor. Website: www.seattletradealliance.com