Elite Chinese business leaders in Dubai to explore opportunities

A delegation of more than 20 Chinese business leaders is in Dubai to learn about the city's meteoric rise from fishing village to global hub for trade, transport, logistics and finance, and how it is perfectly positioned to play a key role in China's Belt and Road initiative.

24 November

The group - current and former students of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), a world-class institution whose graduates head up 20% of China's most valuable brands - is taking part in a six-day learning journey facilitated by Falcon and Associates to discover more about the unprecedented opportunities Dubai presents China across business, tourism, culture and lifestyle.

The programme kicked off with a discover Dubai tour, taking in the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and Dubai Creek, while classroom sessions - delivered in partnership with world-class institutions École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), INSEAD and Capadev- focus on Dubai's economic development, as well as its Smart Government initiatives.

Other highlights include site visits to Emirates, which operates 70 weekly flights between five destinations in China; Jafza, which is home to 230 Chinese companies; and Jumeirah Group, which has one property in China and a further eight in the pipeline.

"We're delighted to be hosting such influential business leaders from China and for them to learn about Dubai through their own experiences," said James Maughan, Director of Dubai Business Internships, Falcon and Associates. "Building on the success of Dubai Business Internships, which offers outstanding Chinese graduates the opportunity to study and do global business in Dubai, we recognised there was also demand for a programme tailored for the established leaders of today.

"There is a real appetite in China to learn about the emirate, and we hope the site visits to Dubai's leading entities, classroom sessions and high-level meetings will leave a lasting impression and a deeper understanding of the opportunities that exist, as well as insights into how the city is being shaped by the pioneering spirit and visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."

Dubai is the latest destination in CKGSB's "Global Insights" overseas learning programme, which has featured partnerships with leading institutions, such as Yale, Stanford, INSEAD and the Harvard Kennedy School. These trips, tailored for China's leading business executives, aim to provide unparalleled knowledge, insights and peer networks in countries which strive to maintain strategic partnerships with China.

"Dubai is a fascinating city, a place of great intrigue for Chinese," said Li Wei, Professor of Economics and Director of China Economy and Sustainable Development Research Centre, CKGSB. "It was surprising to learn Chinese expatriates make up around 10% of Dubai's population, while many of us were not fully aware of how deep and strong the China-Dubai relationship already is. We are curious about the potential in Dubai and delighted to have this chance learn about its economy and explore opportunities.

"It is also particularly pleasing to see how Dubai is contributing to our next generation of business leaders through its Dubai Business Internships programme, while we were enchanted by the warmth of Emirati hospitality and rich Bedouin culture and heritage."

Other site visits include Emaar, Masdar City and Dubai Chamber , which 3000 Chinese businesses are members of, while trips to other cultural highlights of the UAE, such as the desert and the Grand Mosque, are also scheduled. – Emirates News Agency, WAM -