The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, in partnership with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington D.C., co-hosted a reception Tuesday evening in honor of key representatives from the U.A.E. defense industry visiting on occasion of the 2016 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition.  Representatives from Emirati defense firms including Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC), Tawazun, and International Golden Group (IGG), were greeted with applause by public and private sector stakeholders after a brief introduction from Commercial Counselor in the Embassy’s Trade & Commercial Office Saud Al Nowais and President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Danny Sebright.

Trade and Commercial Counselor Saud Al Nowais said, “we’re honored to host the visiting U.A.E. delegation this evening. As the U.A.E. continues to streamline its defense and military capabilities to face today’s threats, both regional and global, AUSA is a reminder of our close cooperation with the United States, and the enduring potential of this partnership.”

Following Mr. Al Nowais’ remarks, Mr. Sebright added, “The AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition is the premier event for the global defense industry’s key players. As the U.A.E. continues to meet the security needs in its own country and lead the fight against terror in the broader GCC, meetings like AUSA prove critically important as an opportunity for the U.S. and U.A.E. defense establishments to align their priorities and goals in lock step with one another.”

U.S. defense attaché to the U.A.E., Brigadier General Joseph Rank meeting U.A.E. defense attaché to the U.S., Brigadier General Ismail Amin Alawadhi for the first time.

Mr. Sebright also had the honor of introducing the new U.A.E. defense attaché to the United States, Brigadier General Ismail Amin Alawadhi, U.A.E. Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba, and U.S. defense attaché to the United Arab Emirates, Brigadier General Joseph Rank before thanking the audience for their attendance.

Invited stakeholders were given an opportunity to discuss defense-related issues and opportunities with the visiting delegation.  Among the topics of discussion were partnerships and opportunities that help continue to build the U.A.E.’s defense industry.

The U.A.E. defense representatives will attend the closing day of the 2016 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition tomorrow before returning to the Emirates.