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26 November 2009
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is in London this week for a series of meetings and tours.
At a ceremony hosted by the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), a trade organisation committed to bridging relations between the UK and Arab world through joint ventures and strategic partnerships, participants heard the UAE’s business environment as one of the leading integrated economies in the world.
Chamber chairman Sir Rodger Tomkys also said the government’s support to trade and commercial enterprise between the UAE and Britain had contributed to stronger ties.
Secretary-general and chief executive of the ABCC Dr Afnan Al Shuaibi welcomed Shaikh Mohammed’s visit, saying that it not only assists the chamber in attaining its goals of serving Arab and British business interests, but it also contributes to re-energising and developing the global economy.
In a separate meeting on Tuesday with House of Commons member and Conservative Party leader David Cameron, historic ties between the country were described as being based on mutual respect and shared interests. Visiting an exhibition of rare Islamic artefacts at the British Museum in London, Shaikh Mohammed said awareness of Islamic civilisation could help bridge cultural gaps.
The exhibits were collected between 1977 and 1983 by former museum board member Sir John Addis, who also freed up space to accommodate the artefacts in 1983. Shaikh Mohammed expressed pride of Islam’s artistic, scientific and cultural legacy which, he said, greatly contributed to modern-day industrial and scientific innovations. He called on all Muslims, especially the young, to study and research their cultural legacy to enhance the standing of Islamic civilisation.
Along with studying culture, Shaikh Mohammed made clear the value he placed on education in general.
During his trip, he was honoured by the London Business School for his support for education.
Shaikh Mohammed and his delegation visited the London Business School on Tuesday and were met by college dean Sir Andrew Likierman, professors and students.
The dean spoke about London Business School’s branch located at the Dubai International Financial Centre, its first branch outside of London, and described Dubai as a global hub for finance and business.
The dean then announced the establishment of Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Chair for Creativity at the college. Shaikh Mohammed said that he would stand by the college, and give it his full support and backing so that it may achieve its goals.
