The ABC Newsletter Fourth Quarter 2013
ABC on Target for 2014
The American Business Council o f
D u b a i
&
t h e
N o r t h e r n
E m i r at e s
Chapter, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Table of Contents Message from the Executive Director.................................2 Looking Ahead Emirati Alumni........................................................................................3 January Monday Mixer........................................................................4 Arab Health Breakfast..........................................................................4 Knowledge Exchange..........................................................................4 2014 Calendar......................................................................................5 2014 Board of Directors........................................................................6 Looking Back Annual American Business Forum, I.D.E.A.S.......................................7 Dubai Airshow Breakfast.......................................................................9 Christmas in the Desert.......................................................................11 Wishing you a Happy New year.................................................15
Message from the Executive Director Dear Members, As we go into our 28th year, member loyalty continues to be the foundation of our success and longevity. In 2013, you helped ABC Dubai have one of the best years on record. Last year, we sustained our membership and grew our business memberships to the highest in recent history. We continue our quest for growth and are actively pursuing non-member companies; your referrals are important. The participation of you, our members, tells us that we are heading in the right direction by helping your company meet goals and your business grow stronger. As a growing business community, together we’ve achieved many other things this year: • a record year relating to membership, both in growth and engagement • increased programming relevant to our members • access to the leadership of the US and UAE through multiple formal and informal platforms All of the above added value to your organization, be it through direct knowledge sharing or helpful advice and guidance when needed. You can trust you are a part of an organization that ranked as a leader in the community. I encourage you to take stock of your engagement with the organization and let us have your feedback and suggestions for continued development. For 28 years, ABC has remained strong and committed to offering you support for your business— you’ve come to know that we can be relied upon to help you build networking opportunities, share knowledge, and influence policy. You have also been here for us throughout those years with your loyalty and support for the organization. For that, we are grateful. Wishing you all continued success in 2014! Sincerely,
Cara Nazari Executive Director American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates
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Emirati Alumni January 2014
T
he ABC will be hosting the annual Emirati Alumni Event, in association with the US Mission, for UAE Nationals who have studied at US universities. This event highlights the strong bonds that exist between the UAE and the US and emphasizes the role that higher education can play in bringing communities closer together. Last year’s guests included UAE National alumni from US universities
representing 60 alumni groups, as well as young UAE National students seeking the opportunity to study in the US. With attendance for this annual event increasing on a yearly basis, it is clear that the shared belief in the importance of education is a crucial element of the strong bilateral relationship between the UAE and US.
This event will be taking place in January, please watch for the invitation!
“Education is a critical tool for building the future. It is no longer possible for countries to build their futures independent from one another. This event celebrates the many connections between the UAE and America that have been fostered through higher education – connections that make each of us stronger, better, and more capable of meeting the challenges facing our world.” 2012 Keynote Speaker, His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of The Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah
This is event is sponsored by
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To register for ABC events please visit us at www.abcdubai.com.
January Monday Mixer
Hail & Farewell for the Board of Directors Welcome back! We invite you to join the ABC for the first Monday Mixer after the long holiday break. Enjoy good company, good food, and drinks with the ABC. Registration: 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm Networking: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm CanapĂŠs & Refreshments Venue: TBD Cost: ABC Members: 50 AED Non Members: 125 AED
Save the Date ~ Arab Health Breakfast Join the ABC for this valuable opportunity to engage with industry leaders from healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, local representatives and government officials. Continuing from its original mandate in 2012, the ABC Health Sector Task Force is charged with defining challenges and developing solutions that create an optimal business environment. Much has been accomplished. The task force has documented white papers and put together suggestions to be shared. Don’t miss your chance to find out where we are, take part in a discussion on the health sector in the UAE and learn how ABC members are engaged. This event will take place on Tuesday, January 28, 2014. Keep watch for the invitation for time and location details.
Keep Watch ~ Knowledge Exchange In 2013 ABC launched the Knowledge Exchange Series. These seminars, drawn from member expertise, aim to highlight topics and issues in the UAE where there are many questions left unanswered. Keep watch for this invitation and the next topic!
To register for ABC events please visit us at www.abcdubai.com.
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Looking Ahead... 2014 Calendar Date
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Event
Monday 06 - January 2014
Monday Mixer [Goodbye/Hello to the Board]
Tuesday 28 - January 2014
Arab Health Breakfast
January 2014 TBD
Emirati Alumni
January 2014 TBD
Knowledge Exchange
Monday 03 - February 2014
Monday Mixer Super Bowl Style
February 2014 TBD (2/16 -2/20)
Knowledge Exchange
February 2014 TBD (2/19)
Emirati Speaker Series
Monday 03 - March 2014
Monday Mixer
Monday 12 - March 2014
Secretary Pritzker Luncheon
March 2014 TBD
Economic Policy Dialogue (CEO Dinner)
March 2014 TBD (3/9 - 3/12)
Country Spotlight: USA (US Chamber of Commerce)
March 2014 TBD (3/16- 3/20)
Farewell Dinner for Bob Bannerman
March 2014 TBD
Emirates Launch to Boston Luncheon
Thursday 03 - April 2014
ABC Golf Tournament
Monday 07 - April 2014
Monday Mixer
April 2014 TBD
Visit Ajman
April 2014 TBD
Knowledge Exchange
Monday 05 - May 2014
Monday Mixer- Cinco de Mayo
Friday 23 - May 2014
Memorial Day/Independence Day Celebration
May 2014 TBD
Knowledge Exchange
Monday 02 - June 2014
Monday Mixer
June 2014 TBD
Emirati Speaker Series
June 2014 TBD
Summer Send Off (Inter-Council Networking Event)
Wednesday 16 - July 2014
ABC Iftar
August TBD (8/24 - 8/28)
Knowledge Exchange
Monday 01 -Sept 2014
Monday Mixer (Appoint Nominations Committee)
September 2014 TBD
Emirati Speaker Series
September 2014 TBD
Country Spotlight
Monday 06 - October 2014
Monday Mixer
Tuesday 28 - October 2014
IDEAS Business Forum
October 2014 TBD
Knowledge Exchange
Monday 03 - November 2014
Monday Mixer (Meet the Candidates)
Tuesday 25 - November 2014
Annual General Meeting
Monday 01 - December 2014
Monday Mixer
December 2014 TBD
Holiday Social
To register for ABC events please visit us at www.abcdubai.com.
ABC Brings you your newly elected 2014 Board of Directors
Ramsey Jurdi President
Bilal Sabouni Executive Vice
Huw Gilbert Board Member
Frank Kemnetz Board Member
Sammy Bousaba Vice President of Programs
Imad Benmoussa Vice President of Membership
Mohamad Itani Board Member
Zubair Razzaq Board Member
Matthew Ficco Vice President of Financial Affairs & Treasurer
Charles Laubach Vice President of Legal Affairs & Secretary
Kathleen Jones Board Member
President
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Looking Back... American Business Council Hosts Annual American Business Forum, November 10, 2013 media; oil, gas, and petrochemicals;
I. D. E. A .S.
infrastructure
discussion
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Dubai & the Northern Emirates (ABC),
in 2012, making the UAE the largest
in strategic partnership with the Dubai
trading partner regionally with the
Economic
joined
US. Additionally, the UAE was the
business leaders from the U.S. and
17th largest export destination for US
the UAE to discuss important business
goods worldwide in 2012. American
issues and solutions at the annual
businesses continue to capitalize on this
American Business Forum, I.D.E.A.S.,
momentum, while also strengthening
on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at the
the UAE’s economy. UAE businesses
Grand Hyatt Dubai.
are also increasing their investment
Hosted and organized by the
opportunities in the US, for example
ABC, a chapter of the US Chamber
through the Strata Global Foundries
of
conference
investment in New York State. The
highlighted the ongoing Economic
principle behind the Forum is to bring
Policy Dialogue (EPD) between the
together all stakeholders in Dubai in
U.S. and the UAE, which served as
order to explore ways to support trade
the inspiration for the Forum. Since
and investment between the US and
March 2012, the EPD has served as a
the UAE.
government to government umbrella
for new and ongoing initiatives that
executive-level panel who discussed
are aimed at deepening economic
how
and commercial ties between the
bilateral
UAE and US. The ABC, in seeking to
been overcome to generate today’s
actively engage all parties for the
strong and growing bilateral trade
maximum benefit of the business
figures,
community, signed a Memorandum
roundtables focused on identifying
of
DEC
challenges facing particular sectors
during the annual Forum, creating
and harnessing potential synergies
a solid partnership. Given the close
going forward. The roundtables were
relationship between the US and the
facilitated by industry leaders and
UAE, reinforcing the bond between
included participants from the health
the two countries is a priority, both
sector; hospitality, travel, and tourism;
economically and politically. Total
transportation,
trade between the US and the UAE
customs; technology and interactive
Understanding
with
the
The
Forum
challenges trade
as
featured
to
the
relationship
well
as
of
the
by
ABC
Ramsey Jurdi,
with participation from: His Excellency
reached a record-high of $24.8 billion
the
moderated
International Partner,
The American Business Council of
Commerce,
construction. highlight
President and Chadbourne & Parke
American Business Forum
(DEC),
and
major
Forum was the panel of experts
I dentif y D efine E xecute A nalyze S trengthen
Council
A
an
US-UAE have
sector-specific
logistics
and
GCC
Hani Al Hamli, Secretary General of the Dubai Economic Council; Jeffrey L. Johnson, President of Boeing Middle East;
Imad
Benmoussa,
General
Manager of Coca-Cola Middle East; Frank of
J.
Kemnetz,
Exxonmobil
Vice
President
Upstream
Ventures
(Middle East); and Timothy J. Richards, Managing Director for Government Affairs and Policy for General Electric. The panelists’ dialogue consisted of topics ranging from supply chain to education and how they successfully integrated
into
the
UAE
business
arena. This distinguished panel cited many factors that contributed to their accomplishments including how the UAE has employed farsighted leadership that is open to working with international companies and is committed to infrastructure and the best
technology. The opening remarks were
given by US Consul General in Dubai, the Honorable Robert Waller. Mr. Waller stated, “In 2009, President Obama launched the National Export Initiative to double US exports in five years, thus creating jobs at home and economic opportunity abroad. I’m pleased to report that here in the UAE, thanks in part to public and private advocacy, we are not only on track to meet that goal but to exceed it. Thanks to all of you here, we are ahead of schedule
I.D.E.A.S., with Strategic Partner, Dubai Economic Council
and the National Export Initiative is alive and well here in the UAE.”
His
Excellency, Hani Al Hamli added, “The UAE is committed to promote bilateral cooperation with dozens of countries around the world from the east to the west; however, we look at the United States as a strategic partner, given the historic relationship between the two countries. Furthermore, the structure and sophistication of this relationship exceeds mere goods and services, to cover a spectrum of activities including education, training, culture, healthcare, science and technology.” Mr. Al Hamli praised the ABC for its enthusiasm and efforts to underpin a concrete foundation for long-term and strategic partnership and also for the ABC’s initiative of holding a forum that brought together all stakeholders in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
The event was sponsored by
DynCorp International with support from the International New York Times and Khaleej Times.
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The American Business Council and AmCham Abu Dhabi Host Dubai November 18, 2013
T
“The Department of Defense is improving the US Government’s and US industry’s ability to promote
to acquisition to the Secretary of Defense
Dubai & the Northern Emirates
and the Under Secretary of Defense for
(ABC) and AmCham Abu Dhabi
Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Ms.
held
on
McFarland began her civil service career
Monday, November 18, 2013 at Dubai
a
breakfast
at Headquarters Marine Corps, which
World
Central
meeting
the
lead her to the Department of National
Airshow.
Defense in Ontario, where she performed
Prominent members of the American
Procurement Head of Electronics duties.
business community came to hear insights
Her career progressed to Director for
from Ms. Katrina G. McFarland, US Assistant
Acquisition for the Missile Defense Agency,
Secretary
where Ms. McFarland’s advice led to over
sidelines
of
Headquarters
the
of
13th
Dubai
Defense
on
(Acquisition),
regarding the US defense sector.
$37 billion of sole source procurement
The ABC-AmCham joint breakfast
activity being opened up to competition.
is held during each Dubai Airshow to
Prior to becoming Assistant Secretary
support the local American and Emirati
of Defense (Acquisition) she served as
in support of our
business communities and their interaction
President
with the many visiting US aerospace and
University, where she continued to build
foreign policy and
defense industry executives. This high-
the
profile event has become a tradition
as the Department of Defense’s primary
national security
among US military, diplomats, and local
learning
objectives.
and visiting industry CEOs. Attendees
included: US Ambassador to the UAE, The
showcase of aviation and air defense
Honorable Michael Corbin; US Ambassador
products in the Middle East and typically
to the State of Qatar, The Honorable Susan
results in billions of dollars of aircraft and
L. Ziadeh; US Consul General in Dubai, The
defense contracts. This year’s show is
Honorable Robert Waller; Federal Aviation
predicted to be the largest in its history
Administration Director of Europe, Africa
and is being held at the new Al Maktoum
& Middle East, Catherine Lang; AmCham
International Airport in Dubai. Matthew
Abu Dhabi Chairman, Matthew E. Byrd;
Byrd and Ramsey Jurdi expressed their
and ABC President, Ramsey B. Jurdi.
enthusiasm for the strong presence of US
During her keynote address, Ms.
aviation and defense companies, which
McFarland stated, “The Department of
are key components of American industry.
field, and support
Defense is improving the US Government’s
ABC Dubai and AmCham Abu Dhabi are
better defense
and US industry’s ability to promote and
proud to partner with the Dubai Airshow,
implement defense exports in support of
which
our foreign policy and national security
businesses operating in the UAE.
objectives. Current and future efficiencies
achieved through these efforts will help
Aerojet Rocketdyne, Lockheed Martin,
us build, field, and support better defense
Boeing,
equipment for ourselves, our allies, and our
Helicopter, with support from Kallman
friends.”
Worldwide and Dubai World Central.
and implement defense exports
Current and future efficiencies achieved through these efforts will help us build,
equipment for ourselves, our allies, and our friends.” 9
he American Business Council of
Ms. McFarland currently serves as
the principal adviser on matters relating
of
the
university’s
Defense
outstanding
Acquisition reputation
institution. The Dubai Airshow is the premiere
uniquely
showcases
American
This joint event was sponsored by DynCorp
International,
Bell
Airshow Breakfast Featuring Assistant Secretary of Defense
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Christmas in the Desert December 14, 2013
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M
ore than 150 ABC members and their families gathered in the desert for the annual ABC Christmas celebration. The desert camp served as our own winter wonderland, complete with a Christmas tree garden, Christmas shops, Santa Claus, Christmas activities for the kids, carolling during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and a delicious Christmas meal that was catered by, the famous, Abela.
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ABC Wishes you and your family a happy and prosperous New Year!
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