The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Dubai Exports are pleased to invite you to a roundtable luncheon and discussion featuring a visiting delegation from Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the largest free zone in the U.A.E. DMCC was recently named “Global Free Zone of the Year” by Financial Times fDi magazine for its unrivalled digital and physical end-to-end services and infrastructure model. More details about DMCC and their senior leadership team can be found below.
The roundtable luncheon event will provide public and private sector stakeholders with an opportunity to learn more about the investment climate in the Emirate of Dubai and opportunities for setting up business available to American companies. Members of the delegation will discuss the attractiveness of doing business in Dubai, particularly as a means of accessing the markets of the wider Middle East, as well as highlight the business opportunities generated by Dubai’s economic strength.
DMCC is particularly excited to reveal more detail in their constantly evolving plans to build the Burj 2020 District and its centrepiece super tall tower, the Burj 2020 – the new heart of global business.
Keynote remarks will be provided by:
Mr. Gautam Sashittal
Chief Executive Officer
DMCC
and a presentation by:
Ms. Krysta Fox
Director Free Zone
DMCC
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Mr. Gautam Sashittal
Chief Executive Officer
DMCC
Gautam Sashittal was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of DMCC in February 2014. DMCC is a government of Dubai Authority dedicated to establishing Dubai as the global gateway for commodity trade. Home to over 9,700 companies, the award-winning DMCC Free Zone is the largest and fastest growing in the UAE. DMCC’s stewardship has seen Dubai grow into the third largest diamond trading centre in the world and a leading global bullion hub. In the short space of 12 years, DMCC has established a unique eco-system to support a range of commodity sectors, including a robust regulatory framework and innovative physical and financial infrastructure and services.
Mr. Sashittal brings more than 25 years of business experience across a range of industries. He spent a large part of his career in the oil and gas industry with Royal Dutch Shell plc, and prior to joining DMCC, was the CFO of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX), the Middle East’s first and fastest growing derivatives exchange.
Saed Al Awadi
Chief Executive Officer
Dubai Exports
Eng.Saed Mohamed Al Awadi, is now the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports (DE), earlier being the Chief Operating Officer at EHS, the regulatory arm of Dubai World. Saed has over 20 years of experience in the Government and Private sector with in-depth localmarket and industrial expertise and knowledge that equip him with the necessary leadership skills to lead and guide organizations.
He holds a degree in Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, with a Masters in Environmental Engineering, supplemented by Executive MBA from Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania. His leadershipskills have also resulted in several individual Excellence awards. His experience in establishing new companies/government entities (DEDC, Export Credit Insurance Company… etc.) has been derived from his vast experience in the Manufacturing, Recycling, Oil& Gas, Commerce, QHSE and Management.
Saed’s leadership / technical skills and management aptitude were evident during his earlier employment, where he quickly rose up in the ranks to manage more than 200 Engineering / Technical andAdministrative personnel at Dubai World. His proficiency in managing large organizations, financial acumen (e.g. by converting EHS, a Cost Centre to a Profitable Company) and people management skills has justified the leadership position he is in today.
Saed is also a member of the Board of Directors of several institutions, like Emirates Standardization & Metrology Authority, Export Credit Insurance Co. of Emirates and other Venture Capital &Manufacturing Companies.
Ms. Krysta Fox
Director
DMCC
With a thoroughly international background, Krysta has lived and completed work assignments in a variety of countries ranging from Spain to South Africa, as well as a significant period working in her native Australia where she headed up a number of major projects, including BP’s IFRS implementation.
Qualified as a fellow certified practicing accountant and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Krysta also holds Master degrees in Professional Accounting and Business Administration and prior to taking up her position at the DMCC, was working in Dubai with Al Futtaim.
Acknowledging the challenging aspects of her current role, Krysta is required to continually develop the Free Zone’s approach, highlighting its suitability for both large corporates that are relocating to the region, through to SME’s that are looking to flourish.
Commenting on the DMCC’s appeal Krysta summarised; “It’s no one thing that makes us stand out, but a combination of the ideal location, with the right governing authority that understands how to conduct business in a friendly way. We are constantly looking to partner or work with industries and sectors in order to create opportunities for our members.”
About DMCC:
DMCC is a government entity established in 2002 to enhance commodity trade flows through Dubai, performing several roles which have firmly established Dubai as a regional and international commodities trading hub.
DMCC Free Zone is the region’s largest and fastest growing Free Zone, DMCC registers about 170 companies a month, 95% of which are new to Dubai. Today, we are home to over 11,000 companies ranging from start-ups to large corporates who all benefit from DMCC’s reputation as a world class business hub. DMCC, the authority on trade, enterprise and commodities in Dubai, has been named ‘Global Free Zone of the Year’ 2015 by The Financial Times fDi Magazine.
For more information, visit: www.dmcc.ae
About Dubai Exports:
DubaiExports strives to ensure the success of the exports sector in Dubai and the UAE, providing constant guidance, advice and practical support to both buyers and suppliers.
Dubai Exports develops long-term growth strategies to expand businesses and maximize the opportunities given by Dubai’s unique position as a natural trade gateway between the East and West.
Exceptional facilities and a logistics infrastructure that is unrivaled in the Middle East and among the most impressive and effective anywhere in the world make Dubai a global export capital.
Among our many services, we provide trade information, branding advice, financial, legal and foreign trade representation and access to potential buyers.
In order to achieve our goals, we work closely with other Dubai Government departments to simplify the export process. It is an exciting time for exporters in the UAE and Dubai Exports will provide you with constant support to make your business both prosperous and profitable.
For more information, visit: www.dedc.gov.ae
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 U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council provides its diverse membership unparalleled access to senior decision makers in business and government in the U.A.E. and in the U.S. 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.
For more information, visit: www.usuaebusiness.org
About the Illinois Chamber of Commerce:
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is the largest broad-based business association in Illinois, serving businesses of all sizes and industry sectors. Headquartered in Springfield with a regional office in Chicago, the Illinois Chamber serves as your frontline advocate for business in the state capitol by influencing the legislative, regulatory and judicial branches of state government. The Illinois Chamber is the Statewide Voice of Business.
For more information, visit: www.ilchamber.org
