Partners in a globalised world

The US and the UAE have a history of an exceptionally close economic relationship

Since the founding of the UAE, the partnership between the UAE and the US has continued to grow stronger and more dynamic with collaboration and joint innovation in education, culture, sports, business, health, technology, security, etc, according to sources at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Appreciating this relationship, the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan bestowed the Order of Independence (First Class) on the outgoing US Ambassador to the UAE Barbara Leaf, in recognition of her efforts to strengthen relations between the UAE and the US in all fields.
The number of the Emirati students seeking higher education in the US continues to grow every year and touched over 2,800 students last year. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in 2017 between the Smithsonian Institute and the UAE to enhance cultural exchange and create new opportunities for collaboration between the Smithsonian Institute and UAE-based cultural and research organisations.
The UAE women's ice-hockey team took part in a ceremonial puck-drop at the beginning of a National Hockey League game in Washington, DC, showing cooperation across sporting events between the two nations.
The US was thrilled to announce its participation in Dubai Expo 2020 earlier this year and the announcement of the selection of Big Things Group as partner for the US Pavilion last month, according to the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi continues to achieve great milestones in providing the best healthcare in the UAE with excitement on the recent news about opening their second branch in the UAE in Al Ain.
The US and the UAE are working very closely with UAE's plans to explore space. The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi is particularly thrilled with the announcement of the NASA Space and Rocketry Summer Camp kicking off for the first time in the UAE later this July. Iron Union 6 and Native Fury joint military exercises showed the integrated security relationship the two nations enjoy together.
Trade figures and growth potential
The US and the UAE have a history of an exceptionally close economic relationship. The US and the UAE exchanged $24 billion bilateral trade in 2017. The UAE is America's largest export market in the Middle East for the ninth year in a row, and the US' 18th largest export market worldwide. As the Arab world's largest source of foreign direct investment into the US, the UAE invested $26.3 billion in the US last year alone.
The two countries continue to look for opportunities of increasing their cooperation across all sectors. The sectors the embassy views as most promising include defence and aerospace; soft and hard infrastructure; and energy sectors.
High-level visits
The US was proud to welcome Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to the US recently where he met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House National Security Advisor John Bolton among other senior meetings. Last month, the US welcomed Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, and other UAE delegates who attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit and met with US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
In May of this year, Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mehairi, Minister of State for Food Security reviewed the latest technological developments in indoor and smart agriculture, which are key future solutions to providing enough food for the whole of humanity. 
Visits to the UAE
A number of US senior officials visited the UAE over the course of last year. In October 2017, US Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin met with His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces to discuss the close partnership between the US and the UAE in countering the financing of terrorism, including through the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC).
During the visit to the UAE, Secretary Mnuchin also met with Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer and Central Bank Governor Mubarak Rashed Al Mansoori.
In December 2017, US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry visited the UAE and signed a MOU renewing the commitment of the two parties' to the Strategic Energy Dialogue.
In January 2018, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Speaker of the US House of Representatives Paul Ryan. During their meeting together, the two sides addressed ways of advancing the already privileged relations binding the UAE and US to higher levels, and reviewed the latest regional and international developments and efforts made to contain the ongoing crises besetting the Middle East region.
In February 2018, Edward Rios, Chairman of US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee visited the UAE where he met His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dr Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council.
Business partnership
The US Commercial Service offices at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate in Dubai are staffed with experienced trade specialists who offer information and counselling on market entry, priority industries, and opportunities in the UAE market.
They work in tandem with more than 100 US Export Assistance Centres around the US to guide American companies through the complexities of international trade, from export regulations to Commercial Advocacy to regional expansion. Its offices assist companies in finding the right contacts through customised services such as the Gold Key Matchmaking Service, designed to speed up the process of finding the right agent, distributor, or partner. The embassy also supports US firms at trade shows through counselling and matchmaking services. 
Upcoming projects or joint ventures
In October, the Embassy informed that it will be launching the Discover America campaign for the sixth consecutive year. Held every October across the Gulf, Discover America is an initiative for the US Mission and industry partners to synergise and strengthen the US-UAE relationship, promoting people-to-people connections between Americans and Emiratis. From October 14-31, the embassy will provide best-in-class knowledge sharing events and strive to expand Emirati familiarity with the US. - suchitra@khaleejtimes.com
(With inputs from the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi)

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