Dubai FDI mission to US spurs investor interest

Dubai - The delegation had representatives from Tecom, Emirates Group, Dubai South and Dubai Silicon Oasis

Dubai's ambitious growth plans as well as policy focus on competitiveness and innovation were explained to US investors and businesses during a series of 'Doing Business in Dubai' seminars hosted across the US by a delegation led by the Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI).

The delegation, co-ordinated by Dubai FDI and Dubai Exports, and supported by the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the US-UAE Business Council, had representatives from Tecom, Emirates Group, Dubai South and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI, said that over 450 senior decision-makers from the private and government sectors in the US know more about Dubai now as a result of the productive seminars and interactions the delegation had in the four cities during the 14-day mission.

"US businesses were keen to know how Dubai can enable them to grow and expand. Representatives from Dubai South, Tecom and Dubai Silicon Oasis were particularly successful in highlighting the opportunities for innovation-driven and knowledge-based economic activity to thrive in Dubai's free zones," said Al Gergawi.

"There was palpable interest among US businesses in the efficiencies Dubai has added as a hub in regional and global supply chains, particularly in enabling faster movement of trade and people. We are looking forward to this interest translating into business initiatives and partnerships in the near future," added Saed Al Awadi, CEO of Dubai Exports.

In San Francisco, the Dubai delegation and Tesla Motors discussed collaboration on enabling the renewable energy pioneer to leverage Dubai's position as a hub for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. The delegation also visited SolarCity, a renewable energy integrator, to update them on the scope for renewables in the regional markets, and met with institutions known for excellence in innovation, including Stanford University and Google.

Nasir Abbasi, commercial attache at the US Consulate in Dubai, said UAE-US trade crossed $25.4 billion in 2015, surpassing all other US trade partners in the broader region, including Turkey and India.

Danny Sebright, president of the US-UAE Business Council, said the visit by the Dubai delegation highlighted the success of sectors with special interest to US companies looking to expand their businesses abroad.

"It's a testament to organisations such as Dubai FDI, which skillfully promote Dubai's business-friendly environment and state-of-the-art infrastructure. Dubai FDI is a valuable tool for government as well as private sector institutions."
- business@khaleejtimes.com