Dubai, 9 February, 2010: The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) and The German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK) organised a joint business networking meeting recently. The event aimed at discussing opportunities for investment and cooperation between businessmen from both countries and contributing to sustainable economic development in the emirate.
Over 200 representatives from major private sector companies and corporations attended the meeting, which highlighted the need for sustained cooperation in achieving viable and sustainable economic growth for Dubai. The meeting also saw discussions on enhancing communication between members of the Council of the Emiratis and the Germans and overcoming obstacles they may face in pursuing investment opportunities.
Representatives from DED including His Excellency Mr Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED, as well as CEOs of DED’s agencies - the Foreign Investment Office, the Export Development Corporation, Dubai Events and Promotions and the Mohamed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development - presented an overview of DED’s vision and mission and services for investors and businessmen.
“We are pleased to cooperate with AHK, which serves as the umbrella overseeing the economic and trade development, as well as exchange expertise and investment between the UAE and Germany. The meeting confirms Dubai and Germany’s keenness to find the appropriate mechanisms and vast investment opportunities available in both economies,” said Al Qamzi. “Businessmen and investors play a vital role in strengthening the relations between the two economies and this meeting supported the economic cooperation taking place in various areas.”
Al Qamzi confirmed Dubai government’s commitment to continue its diversification policy and create opportunities for German companies to establish more projects in the emirate. “Dubai and Germany enjoy strategic relations at all economic levels. The meeting contributed to promoting trade and economic relations between Dubai, which enjoys a leading position in the Gulf region, and Germany, the third largest economy in the world.”
“Through our various agencies, we will contribute to achieving DED’s objectives, supporting Dubai’s economy, and improving the investment environment to attract more foreign investments. Additionally, we continue to support small and medium enterprises, export development, and revitalization of the retail sector through our ongoing initiatives,” added Al Qamzi.
Dr Peter Goepfrich, CEO of the German Emirati Joint Council, welcomed the DED group and stressed on the importance of this event as a good opportunity for both German and Emirati companies to get acquainted with Dubai’s key governmental agencies that execute the DED’s strategies. “The interaction between economy and politics as well as economic management is very important. This is especially true in a relatively different kind of environment as in the UAE, in particular Dubai, which is indeed a regional and transitional trade hub to its neighboring countries in the Gulf and which under the influence of the latest acute economic situation is repositioning itself,” said Goepfrich.
The Department of Economic Development seeks to achieve sustainable economic development and upgrade the competitive advantage of Dubai through the development of policies, laws and economic legislation in the emirate, creating a favorable environment conducive to doing business, and maintaining a high standard of living for citizens and residents of Dubai.
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