American Business Forum, I.D.E.A.S. 2013 Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laura Goodnight Company Name: American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates Tel: 04.379.1414 Email: communications@abcdubai.com Website: www.abcdubai.com

American Business Council Hosts Annual American Business Forum, I.D.E.A.S., with Strategic Partner, Dubai Economic Council DUBAI – NOVEMBER 11, 2013 The American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates (ABC), in strategic partnership with the Dubai Economic Council (DEC), joined business leaders from the U.S. and the U.A.E. to discuss important business issues and solutions at the annual American Business Forum, I.D.E.A.S., on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai.

His Excellency Hani Al Hamli, Secretary General of the Dubai Economic Council is flanked by Timothy J. Richards, Managing Director for Government Affairs and Policy for General Electric; Frank J. Kemnetz, Vice President of Exxonmobil Upstream Ventures (Middle East); Ramsey Jurdi, ABC President and Chadbourne & Parke International Partner; Jeffrey L. Johnson, President of Boeing Middle East; and Imad Benmoussa, General Manager of Coca-Cola Middle East.

Hosted and organized by the ABC, a chapter of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the conference highlighted the ongoing Economic Policy Dialogue (EPD) between the U.S. and the U.A.E., which served as the inspiration for the Forum. Since March 2012, the EPD has served as a government to government umbrella for new and ongoing initiatives that are aimed at deepening economic and commercial ties between the U.A.E. and U.S. The ABC, in seeking to actively engage all parties for the maximum benefit of the business community, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the DEC during the annual Forum, creating a solid partnership. Given the close relationship between the U.S. and the U.A.E., reinforcing the bond between the two countries is a priority, both economically and politically. Total trade between the U.S. and the U.A.E. reached a record-high of $24.8 billion in 2012, making the U.A.E. the largest trading partner regionally with the U.S. Additionally, the U.A.E. was the 17th largest export destination for U.S. goods worldwide in 2012. American businesses continue to capitalize on this momentum, while also strengthening the U.A.E.’s economy. U.A.E. businesses are also increasing their investment opportunities in the U.S., for example through the Strata Global Foundries investment in New York State. The principle behind the Forum is to bring together all stakeholders in Dubai in order to explore ways to support trade and investment between the U.S. and the U.A.E.

Ramsey Jurdi and His Excellency, Hani Al Hamli sign the Memorandum of Understanding. Behind them stand Tarek Hajiri; U.S. Consul General in Dubai, the Honorable Robert Waller; and Nasser Al Suwaidi.

The Forum featured an executive-level panel who discussed how challenges to the U.S.-U.A.E. bilateral trade relationship have been overcome to generate today’s strong and growing bilateral trade figures, as well as sector-specific roundtables focused on identifying challenges facing particular sectors and harnessing potential synergies going forward. The roundtables were facilitated by industry leaders and included participants from the health sector; hospitality, travel, and tourism; transportation, logistics and GCC customs; technology and interactive media; oil, gas, and petrochemicals; infrastructure and construction.

A major highlight of the Forum was the panel of experts discussion moderated by ABC President and Chadbourne & Parke International Partner, Ramsey Jurdi, with participation from: His Excellency 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 J. Kemnetz, Vice President of Exxonmobil 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 U.A.E. business arena. This distinguished panel cited many factors that contributed to their accomplishments including how the U.A.E. has employed farsighted leadership that is open to working with international companies and is committed to infrastructure and the best technology.

The panel of experts from left to right Imad Benmoussa, General Manager of Coca-Cola Middle East; Frank J. Kemnetz, Vice President of Exxonmobil Upstream Ventures (Middle East); and Timothy J. Richards, Managing Director for Government Affairs and Policy for General Electric; His Excellency Hani Al Hamli, Secretary General of the Dubai Economic Council; Jeffrey L. Johnson, President of Boeing Middle East; and Ramsey Jurdi, ABC President and Chadbourne & Parke International Partner.

The opening remarks were given by U.S. Consul General in Dubai, the Honorable Robert Waller. Mr. Waller stated, “In 2009, President Obama launched the National Export Initiative to double U.S. exports in five years, thus creating jobs at home and economic opportunity abroad. I’m pleased to report that here in the U.A.E., 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 and the National Export Initiative is alive and well here in the U.A.E.” His Excellency, Hani Al Hamli added, “The U.A.E. 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.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL The American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates operates under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry and functions as a Chapter of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. Since its founding in 1985, the American Business Council has supported U.S. business interests in Dubai & the Northern Emirates and acts as a liaison between government and commercial enterprises.

The American Business Council is a 500 plus member-driven organization. Fortune 500 companies and key business leaders are well represented among the members of the American Business Council. The American Business Council provides a forum for understanding and interaction between the local business community and members of the American Business Council. Members are supported through a robust calendar of informational programs, round-table discussions, and business networking opportunities.

For more information about the American Business Council and to learn how members are engaged, visit us at www.abcdubai.com.

ABOUT THE DUBAI ECONOMIC COUNCIL Since its inception in 2003 at the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Economic Council has and continues to play a major role in supporting the Government of Dubai's economic policy decisionmaking. The Dubai Economic Council, chaired by His Excellency Juma Al Majed, comprises leading businessmen and officials representing the most vital sectors of the Emirate's economy, and a Secretariat General led by His Excellency Hani Al Hamli encompassing a world-class team of economists, strategists, researchers and legal advisors.

In its short history the DEC has transformed itself into a vital player in advancing Dubai's economic agenda providing the Emirate with sound economic policy recommendations that are the culmination of extensive, cutting-edge research, and dynamic dialogue built on the contributions of representatives of the public and private sectors and world-renowned academics.

The DEC's ambitious agenda is shaped by a set of mandates from which its vision, mission, and strategic objectives are drawn with an eye to not only be an integral partner in Dubai's and UAE's economy, but to develop into a strategic centre for economic policy research and study in the region. For more information please visit www.dec.org.ae.

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