Dubai Chamber delegation explores opportinities in Chengdu-Dubai Business Forum 2018

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently organised a trade mission to Chengdu where delegates explored prospects for boosting economic cooperation between Dubai and China’s Sichuan Province.

The Chamber-led delegation, represented by top UAE government officials and business leaders, participated in the Chengdu-Dubai Business Forum 2018 during their visit which coincided with the Chengdu Dubai International Cup.

UAE delegates held several meeting with key stakeholders representing the Chinese government and private sector on the sidelines of the forum, including Peng Yuxing, Vice Governor of Sichuan Provincial Government; Qiao Wei, Party Member and Vice President of China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese; An Cheng, Vice President of China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs; and San Baoshan, Vice Minister of Department of the Federation of Overseas Chinese Overseas Friendship.

During the forum, Dubai Chamber officials provided an overview of Dubai’s business environment and the advantages the emirate provides to foreign companies and investors. Presentations highlighted the Chamber’s international expansion strategy and the efforts of the organisation’s representative office in Shanghai to strengthen trade relations between China and Dubai and identify business opportunities in the Chinese market that offer the most potential to Dubai Chamber members.

Addressing delegates at the forum, H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber, explained that the Chamber organised the high-level trade mission to Chengdu with the aim of developing Dubai’s business ties with Chengdu and the Sichuan province and exploring the potential for expanding cooperation in key sectors such as finance, trade, free zones, agri-business, foodstuff and industrial sectors.

H.E. Buamim revealed that since the Chamber opened its Shanghai office in 2016, Dubai-China non-oil trade has grown steadily to reach nearly $48 billion in 2017. He expressed his optimism about the prospects for future partnerships between the UAE and China, given the bright outlook for both economies and Dubai’s strategic role in the Belt and Road initiative.

Dubai Chamber’s President and CEO noted that the trade mission succeeded in achieving its objectives of establishing a strong foundation for future cooperation and identifying attractive business opportunities in the resource-rich Sichuan Province, adding that Chengdu offers a great deal of potential as a thriving business hub and gateway to Western China.

The trade mission to Chengdu was led by H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber, and joined by H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi, Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, UAE Ministry of Economy; H.E. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, Ambassador of the UAE ambassador to China; Hassan Al Hashemi, Vice President of International Relations, Dubai Chamber; Omar Khan, Director of International Offices, Dubai Chamber; Dr. Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Director General of Department of Economic Development, Government of Ras Al Khaimah; and several business leaders representing a variety of UAE-based companies and organisations, including Meydan Group, RAK Ports, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones