Local DTCM news |
JANUARY 2010 |
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Businesses from a range of sectors turned out in force for the DTCM’s ‘Dubai: The Way Forward’ commerce briefing, which was held in conjunction with the Middle East Association (MEA) on 1 December at Bury House. Expert speakers with extensive local knowledge from the Economist Intelligence Unit, Trowers & Hamlins and Strutt & Parker, spoke on the current situation and the emirate’s prospects, following a short introduction from Director General of the MEA, Michael Thomas and the DTCM’s Commerce Marketing Manager, Fayha Sultan.
The presentations were followed by a lively Q&A session involving all members of the panel and delegates in the audience. Whilst the event was, inevitably, heavily influenced by the recent announcements regarding the future of Dubai World, the overall mood was decidedly upbeat with all panellists agreed that Dubai will rebound from the revelations to enjoy a prosperous future. A second session is scheduled for 2010, when the dust has settled, and we look forward to providing details of this later in the year.
More info: Middle East Association
Ireland-based businesses are set to make their mark in Dubai as a recent trade mission brought the two countries together, helping to build international business partnerships. Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government’s organisation dedicated to creating links and opportunities within the international business arena, has since 2004 used Dubai as its regional base for 20 Middle East and North African (MENA) markets.
Jim Mongey is Enterprise Ireland’s regional manager for MENA. He says: “The pace of MENA market entry by Irish exporters has accelerated markedly in the past 18 months. We are now seeing a further surge of interest with 43 clients, many new to the MENA region due to participate in a Trade Mission to the UAE led by Ireland’s Minister for Trade and Commerce, Mr Billy Kelleher. Among the reasons Irish companies cite for choosing Dubai are: ‘a local business tradition deeply rooted in international trade’, ‘a dynamic commercial environment’, ‘ease of business regulation’, ‘open and friendly welcome’, ‘secure and comfortable living conditions’, and ‘ease of communication across the region’.”
DTCM and Enterprise Ireland would like to thank the following people for making this extremely productive trip possible:
Etihad Airways | Jumeirah | Millennium Hotels | Mövenpick
The Address | Desert Palm Per Aquum | Radisson Blu
Representing the important contribution women in business are making to the commerce landscape in Dubai, a delegation of seven UK-based business women were taken on a visit to the emirate last December by the DTCM’s marketing manager Fayha Sultan. The aim of the trip was to introduce female entrepreneurs to the business opportunities on offer in Dubai. The delegates met with the president of the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) Mrs. Raja Easa Al-Gurg, and also were able to learn more from the director of UAE Relations in the British Business Group Ms. Lubna Qassim, along with other business women in Dubai.
The women on the trip expressed admiration for the ability of businesswomen in the UAE to break through into many fields. During the trip, Fayha Sultan commended the DBWC and the pivotal role it played in strengthening the position of businesswomen in Dubai.
DTCM would like to thank the following for making their trip possible:
The Address | Mövenpick | Qamardeen Hotel | Grosvenor Hotel
More info: Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) | British Business Group
Even the most established firms could benefit from a bit of expert advice from time to time, particularly in the current climate, which is why specialist management consultancy Investit is being welcomed to The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) with open arms.
Investit works with investment managers and their third party administration providers, custodians, regulators and software vendors. The company helps established firms to improve their businesses, and start-ups build from strong foundations.
Planning for the move started in 2007, and in 2008 Catherine Doherty, CEO of MENA region, came out to the UAE on a permanent basis in order to look for the ideal emirate in which to set up business. Doherty said of the decision to move to Dubai International Financial Centre: “While many of the cities we considered had their strong points the supportive structure of the DIFC was a major contribution to our choosing Dubai for our first MENA office. We have been part the DIFC since May 2009 and it is working well for us. We have recruited locally and staff from our London and Sydney offices are happy to come here to work. The business plan is on track, we are winning business and we look forward to serving our clients from the DIFC for years to come.”
More info: Investit
