DED delegation visits Canada and Seattle to share knowledge on promoting business and investment

A high-level delegation from the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai is visiting Canada and the US as part of promoting the business-related services available in Dubai and showcasing the emirate’s strengths as a business hub to public and private sector representatives in the two North American countries.

 The delegation, comprising His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED and chief executives of key business sectors and agencies within DED, will visit Toronto and Vancouver in Canada and Seattle in the US 21-31 May and hold discussions with key service organisations as well as trade and industry associations across the three cities. 

Other members of the DED delegation include Mohammed Shael Al Saadi, CEO of the Business Registration Licensing (BRL) sector in DED; Engineer Saad Al Awadi, CEO of Dubai Exports; and Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI. 

“With Dubai reinforcing its position as a regional hub and business destination it is imperative that we look at global benchmarks to underline our competitiveness. Our trip to Canada and the US will allow the Department of Economic Development to learn further what investors are currently looking to in terms of doing business and pursuing growth,” commented Al Qamzi. 

“Dubai’s business practices are often cited as a regional model to follow. We need to take them to the next level, to make them the best in the world,” Al Qamzi added. 

During the tour the DED delegation will attend a series of business networking sessions and presentations with organisations leading economic diversification, investment attraction, business facilitation, trade promotion, SME (small and medium enterprise) development, job creation, research and innovation in the host cities. 

The Ontario Trade & Investment Centre hosted the visiting delegation in Toronto in networking sessions with organisations working to position Toronto as a centre of business excellence. The sessions featured presentations by the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment as well as the Ministry of Research and Innovation in Ontario, Invest Ontario; Ontario Centres of Excellence, Service Ontario and Invest Toronto. 

The first day of the sessions included presentations by BRL and Dubai FDI while Dubai Exports briefed the audience on the second day. The delegation also held discussions with Infrastructure Ontario and the Canadian Council for PPP (public-private partnerships). 

In Vancouver the DED delegation was briefed on export development, international market development and FDI attraction by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation under the British Columbia Government. The delegation met with the Western Economic Diversification Canada as well as the Vancouver Economic Development Commission and visited the Globe Foundation – Cleantech Cluster before leaving for Seattle. 

"The mission by Dubai's Department for Economic Development reflects the commitment of both countries to expand our strong trading relationship. The UAE is one of Canada's largest trading partners in the Middle East and North Africa and our largest export market in the region. I am convinced this mission will help create opportunities for prosperity in both countries," remarked His Excellency Arif Lalani, Canadian Ambassador to the UAE. 

His Excellency Ross Miller, Canadian Consul General in Dubai emphasises the importance of exploring Canadian-Dubai business partnerships. "We look forward to working with Dubai to advance the bilateral commercial relationship and business-to-business relationships." 

DED’s trip to Seattle has added significance in the backdrop of Dubai’s growing ties with the US city and Emirates emerging as the leading customer of Seattle-based aircraft maker Boeing. Emirates is currently the largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft and Dubai FDI recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Seattle and King County as well as the Trade Development Alliance (TDA) of Greater Seattle. 

The DED delegation will host a Business Breakfast Seminar on business opportunities in Dubai in Seattle on the 30^th of May, followed by a roundtable with leading business organisations including the Washington Aerospace Partnerships, Washington State Clean Technology Alliance; Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association; Greater Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce and Washington Technology Industry Association. 

As part of sharing knowledge on export promotion, SME development, business promotion and investment the delegation will also meet with officials from the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Puget Sound Regional Council. A visit to the Boeing facility in Everett and the Microsoft campus in Redmond will also be part of the delegation’s itinerary in Seattle.