(Las Vegas, Nevada)— The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted an executive delegation from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Dubai Chamber) for a second annual reception and dinner on the sidelines of the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2012) on Tuesday at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas.  The event featured keynote remarks from the delegation leaders His Excellency Hisham Al Shirawi, Vice Chairman, and His Excellency Hamad Buamim, Director General, of the Dubai Chamber. Public and private sector officials from both the United States and United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) attended the dinner.

Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, welcomed the delegation back to the U.S. and applauded their enduring commitment to the exploration of commercial and investment opportunities between the U.S. and the U.A.E. In his opening remarks, Sebright underscored the importance of highlighting the overall U.S.-U.A.E. relationship with policy events around the United States to advance understanding between the two countries.

“Tonight’s keynote speeches provided guests with important insight about the U.A.E.’s interest and investment in the consumer electronics sector, in Las Vegas, and in the broader United States,” said Sebright. “Moreover, it allowed business executives and government officials the opportunity to discuss ways commercial partnerships in the electronics sector can boost the overall U.S.-U.A.E. commercial relationship moving forward.”

His Excellency Hamad Buamim gave the first keynote speech of the evening; highlighting the expanding consumer electronics sector in Dubai as a key area for potential economic partnership with American companies looking to expand in the U.A.E. and in the region.  In his comments, Buamim expressed Dubai’s significance as a regional, and increasingly global, commercial hub and encouraged American businesses to visit the Emirate to gain a full understanding of its capabilities and explore opportunities for partnership.

“Not only is domestic demand strong, but the U.A.E.’s strategic location at a crossroads between East and West puts it in the ideal position to capitalize on future growth in GCC, Eastern European, Indian sub-continent and African markets,” said Buamim.

His Excellency Al Shirawi, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Chamber and well-respected local consumer electronics authority in Dubai, followed with a second keynote speech of the evening. In his remarks, Al Shirawi stressed the vast potential for partnership and investment in the Emirate’s consumer electronics sector.  He noted the growth potential of electronics in Dubai and the widespread consumer interest in high quality, cutting-edge technology from the United States and other major global players in the industry.

“The United States is one of Dubai’s key business partners and we would like to develop this relationship further, particularly with respect to the consumer electronics sector,” said Al Shirawi.

The Dubai Chamber delegation is in Las Vegas this week to attend CES 2012; meet with local, state, and federal U.S. government officials; and network with American business executives interested in export and investment opportunities in the Middle East.  The delegation is supported by the Embassy of the U.A.E. in Washington, D.C. and the Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai.