The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted iftars at the Ritz Carlton DIFC hotel in Dubai on the evening of Tuesday, March 18th, and the Rosewood Hotel Abu Dhabi on the evening of Wednesday, March 19th. Adnan Kazim, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Board Vice Co-Chairman and Emirates Airline Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer gave keynote remarks and led the discussion at the Dubai iftar, and U.S. Consul General to Dubai Robert Raines also gave remarks.
H.E. Waleed Al Muhairi, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Co-Chairman and Mubadala Deputy Group CEO, gave keynote remarks and led the discussion at the Abu Dhabi iftar, and Eric Gaudiosi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, also provided remarks. The iftars offered U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council member companies and friends the opportunity to break fast together during the holy month of Ramadan, and discuss the positive momentum in the U.S.-U.A.E. business relationship.
H.E. Waleed Al Muhairi thanked the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council for its efforts in promoting the bilateral relationship, and framed the Council’s work as a benchmark and standard for bilateral business associations. H.E. Al Muhairi noted the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship and highlighted Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s 10-year anniversary, celebrated this week, as a testament to the positive impact of U.S.-U.A.E. collaboration. He welcomed increased collaboration in the healthcare sector, including in the development of pharmaceuticals, to build a world-class healthcare ecosystem that builds on and complements the achievements of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
H.E. Waleed Al Muhairi asserted that the U.S.-U.A.E. political and commercial relationship is on strong footing, noting the recent U.A.E. delegation to the United States led by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He reflected on the positive outcomes from the recent high-level visits to the United States by Emirati leaders as indicators of the trajectory of the economic partnership between the two countries, especially in the areas of advanced technology, innovation, AI, and advanced manufacturing. He confirmed that the United States will remain a top destination for U.A.E. investments, which have eclipsed $1 trillion in the United States. H.E. Al Muhairi clarified that the focus of the U.A.E., of Abu Dhabi, and of Mubadala, is to develop an indigenous advanced manufacturing and innovation ecosystem and added that the U.A.E. is open to work with American companies that offer the best technologies and innovations.
Deputy Chief of Mission Eric Gaudiosi emphasized the strength and momentum of the bilateral economic relationship and mentioned the $1 trillion of U.A.E. investment in the United States as a staggering indicator of the longstanding, robust partnership. He amplified the message that the U.S.-U.A.E. partnership is strong and enduring. DCM Gaudiosi encouraged companies in attendance to grow that spirit of cooperation and partnership, particularly in the commercial sector.
Emirates Airline Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim highlighted the role of Emirates Airline in supporting the connections and community that is built throughout Ramadan. He stated that building connections is at the heart of Emirates Airline and the entire international aviation industry. Noting that 2024 marked the 20th year of Emirates Airline’s presence in the United States, Mr. Kazim emphasized that the United States will be a focus for Emirates in 2025 and Emirates will build on the already robust network of connections that exist between Dubai and U.S. destinations. He praised the partnership with United Airlines for helping expand Emirates Airline’s connectivity in the United States. Mr. Kazim noted that Emirates Airline operates 96 weekly flights to 12 American cities, enables the robust bilateral trade and commercial relationship, and brings over 500,000 tourists to Dubai each year. Mr. Kazim shared an update on progress being made on the plans for Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), expected to become the world’s largest airport, when completed in 2034. He added that DWC when fully complete will be the home of Emirates, but the future of Dubai International Airport (DXB) is still not determined.
U.S. Consul General in Dubai Rob Raines commented on the spirit and purpose of Ramadan. He praised the U.A.E.’s tolerance agenda, as reflected in 2025 being the Year of Community. Mr. Raines encouraged U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council member companies to deepen commercial partnerships in the U.A.E. and United States. He also called on companies to continue fostering mutual understanding between the two countries. He encouraged business leaders in attendance to seek out the U.S. Consulate team for support in advancing their objectives in Dubai.
U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright noted that Ramadan is a period of reflection and gratitude, emphasizing his gratitude for all U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council members for their support. Mr. Sebright celebrated the values of partnership within the U.S.-U.A.E. business community. He remarked that the U.S.-U.A.E. commercial relationship is moving from strength-to-strength and called on members to embark on new collaborations that create shared economic growth and mutual prosperity. Mr. Sebright highlighted focus areas for the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s work in the months ahead, including programming during Abu Dhabi Health Week in April, a U.S. trade delegation visit to the U.A.E. during GISEC Global in May, and the high-level events during the Dubai Air Show in November.
For questions about these events, please contact Matthew Gardell at mgardell@usuaebusiness.org.
