UAE Business Council to Strengthen Business Ties

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today launched the U.S.-UAE Business Council, a collaboration of leading companies in the United States and United Arab Emirates that are committed to expanding commercial relations between the two countries.

"The Council will be a dynamic and powerful voice in support of the longstanding commercial relationships between our two countries," said Lt. General Dan Christman, U.S. Chamber senior vice president of the Chamber's International Division at the Council's inaugural event in Washington, D.C. Christman was joined by UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and U.S. Ambassador to the UAE Michele Sison.

According to U.S. government trade statistics, the U.S. exported nearly $12 billion in goods and services to the UAE in 2006 - making it the largest U.S. export market in the Middle East and northern Africa. The U.S. is a profitable destination for UAE investment, especially in the real estate, manufacturing, and hospitality industries.

"The Business Council is an important and timely initiative," said UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. "A central part of our foreign policy is strong economic relations with the world, and the U.S. is a significant trading partner of the UAE. Improving awareness and understanding of our two countries' shared interests is critical to furthering that relationship."

Affiliated and housed at the U.S. Chamber headquarters building in downtown Washington, D.C., the Council will operate autonomously, advancing the commercial interests of its member companies by monitoring and advocating policies central to the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and UAE, and developing strategic relationships between U.S. and UAE business and government officials.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

For more information, please visit: www.usuaebusiness.org/.

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