ABC Newsletter Fourth Quarter 2013

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

5

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

7

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

10

Christmas in the Desert December 14, 2013

11

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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