The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council and the American Chamber of Commerce Abu Dhabi (AmCham Abu Dhabi) co-hosted a luncheon in honor of Under Secretary Francisco Sánchez, U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, and an accompanying delegation of American companies on Tuesday, November 1st at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Prominent American and Emirati government officials, including Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, U.A.E. Minister of Foreign Trade, and the Honorable Michael H. Corbin, U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E., joined senior executives from the U.S.-U.A.E. business community at the lunch.

Pictured: U.S Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez (center) is welcomed by Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council (left) and Gregory Golden, Chairman of AmCham Abu Dhabi (right).

The program began with welcoming remarks from Gregory Golden, Chairman of AmCham Abu Dhabi, and Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council. Mr. Golden and Mr. Sebright underscored the significance of trade and commerce to the overall U.S.-U.A.E. diplomatic relationship and stressed the importance of bringing more U.S. trade missions to the U.A.E. to gain first-hand understanding of the country’s industrial capabilities and commercial potential.

Following introductory remarks, Ambassador Corbin addressed attendees at the lunch and welcomed Under Secretary Sánchez and the delegation of American infrastructure and logistics companies to Abu Dhabi. In his comments, Ambassador Corbin emphasized the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and U.S. Consulate in Dubai’s commitment to supporting the effective public and private sector promotion of U.S.-U.A.E. trade and commerce. Furthermore, Ambassador Corbin noted his personal open-door policy to American companies looking to invest and operate in the U.A.E.

In a keynote speech entitled, “Strengthening Global Commercial Relationships: The View from Washington”, Under Secretary Sánchez echoed Ambassador Corbin and stressed the U.S. government’s eagerness to strengthen its commercial relationship with the U.A.E. Sánchez cited U.S. trade with the U.A.E. as a significant element of President Barack Obama’s National Export Initiative, which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014. In his remarks, Sánchez applauded the U.A.E. for its commitment to economic growth and diversification and noted transportation infrastructure as a sector ripe for U.S.-U.A.E. commercial partnership.

“The U.S. government wants to help Abu Dhabi achieve its ambitious plans by promoting commercial and investment partnerships,” Sánchez said. “One area with huge potential for partnerships is transportation infrastructure. Today I am here with 14 U.S. companies that are experienced, creative, committed to innovation, and ready to help.”

Sánchez concluded his remarks by reaffirming the stance of U.S. companies as global industry leaders poised to provide training and occupational education to the Emirati workforce and highlighting the mutually beneficial potential of increased trade and commerce between the U.S. and U.A.E.

“U.S. products and services represent quality. They can help the U.A.E. achieve its ambitious economic goals, which in turn brings new prosperity to your communities, and supports jobs in America.”

The full text of Under Secretary Sánchez’s remarks can be found here:http://trade.gov/press/speeches/2011/sanchez-110111.asp .

###