The Swiss Business Council hosted its tenth anniversary Annual General Meeting on 20 March 2006, where members of the council gathered to celebrate the highlights of the last ten years and plans for the years ahead.
The Council announced with regret the resignation of founding member and Vice President, Mr. Moh'd Sharif Al Hashemi. Acknowledging Mr. Al Hashemi’s contribution to the SBC over the last ten years, the Council has appointed him a lifetime Honorary Member.
The Swiss Business Council announced the appointment of Mr. Mohammed R. Al-Suwaidi as the new Vice President, succeeding Mr Al Hashemi.
Mr. Al-Suwaidi, a UAE National, is Managing Partner of Al Suwaidi & Company, Legal Consultants, and was previously head of the legal department at Emirates General Petroleum Corporation. He is head of the Young Arab Lawyers Committee, deputy chairman of the UAE Jurists Association, member of the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Association in the UAE, member of the UAE Bar as well as the International Bar Association and the American Bar.
Mohammed Al Suwaidi said of the appointment, “It is an honour to be given the position of Vice President of the Swiss Business Council. I have supported the council for many years and will take pride in my appointment, helping to develop the Swiss Business Council in Dubai.”
“I have had a long association with Switzerland and the Swiss community in the UAE. I visit the country every year and very much respect the culture and its values,” added Al-Suwaidi
Peter Harradine, President of Swiss Business Council said, “Firstly I would like to thank Moh'd Sharif Al Hashemi for his dedication and assistance at The Swiss Business Council for the past years. Secondly, I am delighted we now have the support of such a well-respected UAE national as our new Vice President. The appointment of Mohammed Al Suwaidi represents the cross-culture of the Swiss Business Council and its 145 members, many of whom are not necessarily Swiss but have associations with Switzerland or Swiss companies.”
The AGM also elected four new Executive Committee members; Dr Till Stoll, Dr Lina Kouatly, Samer Achcar and Laurent Amestoy.
The AGM was also a chance for members of the Swiss Business Council to discuss ideas and new directions created by the ever changing landscape of this dynamic city.
