Officials applaud DAC's support

The DAC was set up with the aim of providing assistance to professional associations to set up office space and develop their activities and membership in Dubai and beyond.

Heads of global professional associations based in Dubai have spoken highly about the emirate's attractive investment environment, stating that foreign investors benefit a lot from the city's competitiveness and business-savvy set-up.
Also, lauding the role of the Dubai Association Centre (DAC) for its support in setting up branches in the emirate, they registered their appreciation for the centre's efforts in providing them an excellent podium to grow and excel in the UAE and the entire GCC region. Belonging to various economic sectors, the top officials of Dubai-based global professional associations also praised their strategic partnership with the centre, which they said will support their long-term sustainability and growth in the future.
The Dubai Association Centre was established in the beginning of 2014 under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), with the aim to provide assistance to professional associations to set up office space and develop their activities and membership in Dubai and beyond.
Over the past over one year of its operations, the centre has granted permission to 12 professional associations: the Arab Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (ASPED), Gulf Heart Association, UITP - Advanced Public Transport, The Institution of Fire Engineers, GSMA, Middle East Gases Association (MEGA), the World Free Zones Organisation, International Advertising Association (IAA), The Southern Arabian Peninsula Chapter of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, Middle East & North Africa Franchise Association, International Institute of Business Analysis, and International Inter-professional Wound Care Group.
Mike Simpson, secretary of the Southern Arabian Peninsula Chapter, International Association of Drilling Contractors, said: "Our association serves the oil and gas drilling community in the southern Arabian peninsula area as Dubai hosts a large number of our member's regional and home offices, and with our objective for wider community engagement we value DAC's continuing support and input in helping us establish a formally registered organisation which will generate more interest in our community in the area."
Hussein Ghattas, president, International Institute of Business Analysis UAE Chapter, said: "Dubai is an ideal place to set off the IIBA UAE Chapter aspirations to grow and establish the standards and best practices recommended by International Institute of Business Analysis under the guidance of Dubai Association Center which will bring increased value and support to members and partners alike. DAC will help the chapter to capture new opportunities that will transform the association and facilitate avenues to grow the chapter's membership and ensure the long-term sustainability of the local association."
Besides granting permission to 12 professional associations, DAC is currently studying over 50 applications for licensing, eight applications are under approval for issuance of licence and the Centre is in conversation with over 60 regional and international associations interested in setting up an office or chapter in Dubai.
- abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai