Business guru SHEIKHA LUBNA
What are the types of services that the Ministry of Foreign Trade offers foreign firms looking to enter the UAE? The Ministry of Foreign Trade constantly highlights and promotes the country’s key economic sectors. We periodically publish booklets that provide a clearer view of the UAE’s economic sectors and activities, while also giving detailed explanations on how to establish a new business here. These booklets also list the country’s official institutions that are involved in the trading startup process.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade has embarked on a mission to restructure and expand the operations of all trade offices representing the UAE in major economies. The objectives of these offices are to assess viable opportunities and then follow through with negotiations that can lead to trade and commercial agreements with the host country, fulfill the economic and commercial objectives set forth by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, and promote the UAE as a preferred business and investment destination in the Middle East.”
Biography of Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, holds the distinction of being voted the most powerful Arab woman by Forbes magazine, as well as being the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Before she became one of the most prominent female politicians in the Middle East, Sheikha Lubna was one of UAE’s most pioneering women professionals. Her successful corporate career included stints as a Dubai branch manager for the General Information Authority, the organisation responsible for automating the federal government of the UAE, a senior manager of the information systems department at the Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) and the chief executive officer of Tejari, the first Middle Eastern electronic business-to-business marketplace. Sheikha Lubna is the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the United Arab Emirates. In her current role, which she has held since 2008, she has steered the UAE along a course of economic modernisation and diversification, while underscoring the role of the private sector. Prior to this, She was the UAE Minister of Economy, a post she held during one of the country’s most economically prosperous periods in history. Her numerous achievements in both the public and private sectors led to her being voted as the most powerful Arab woman by Forbes magazine, with her name also featuring among the 2009 Forbes List of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World. She is a also member of the ruling family of Sharjah and the niece to His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi, the ruler of the emirate of Sharjah. Sheikha Lubna has received many awards for her work, including the Vital Voices Global Trailblazer Award 2008, for her exceptional leadership in the Middle East and her profound influence on future generations of Arab Muslim female decision makers. The Times UK newspaper included her in its Gulf Power 25 list of 2007 and The Wall Street Journal recognised her as one of its 50 international women to watch. In 2009, Nicolas Sarkozy conferred on her the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the highest possible distinction, for her extraordinary achievements as a public servant of the UAE and for her invaluable role in enhancing her country’s foreign relations. In 2007, she became the first Arab woman to receive the Italian Stella Re prize, awarded annually to just one woman throughout the world who strives to make a difference to contemporary society and culture through her innovative work, dedication and ideas. Sheikha Lubna graduated from the California State University, Chico with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, and has an Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah. She received an honorary doctorate of science from California State University, Chico, for her contributions to the field of science and technology.
The Ministry currently has four trade offices. Are there any plans to open anymore? The Ministry of Foreign Trade has embarked on a mission to restructure and expand operations of all the trade offices representing the UAE in major economies. This task began with the trade offices in Washington D.C., Delhi, China, and Geneva, all of which are countries that rank among the UAE’s most important economic partners. The mandate of the UAE trade offices in these countries is to maintain and further enhance the positive nature of bilateral trade and commerce. The Ministry also has a number of trade attachés stationed at UAE embassies operating in some of the country’s major trading partners. There are plans to establish even more trade offices in the future. The objectives of these offices are to assess viable opportunities and then follow through with negotiations that can lead to trade and commercial agreements with the host country, fulfill the economic and commercial objectives set forth by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, and promote the UAE as a preferred business and investment destination in the Middle East. Trade offices also facilitate the exploration of mutual import, export and investment opportunities between the UAE and host country. With regard to their tasks and responsibilities, trade offices conduct research and analysis, based on which they prepare the corresponding reports on market capabilities, demand and drivers for both the host country and the UAE. They also generate awareness on regulatory changes imposed on business operations or establishment, imports and exports, as well as individual or company
NOVEMBER 2011 SME ADVISOR MIDDLE EAST
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