U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council & AIA Host Dubai Airshow 2015 Dinner to Highlight Bilateral Aerospace & Defense Relationship

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council and the Aerospace Industries Association welcomed 400 senior business executives and government officials on Sunday for an exclusive dinner celebrating Dubai Airshow 2015. Held at one of Dubai’s flagship landmarks, Fort Island at Madinat Jumeirah Arabian Resort, Sunday’s dinner and reception featured a keynote address by H.E. Eng. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, and other remarks by H.E. Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Executive Officer, Emerging Sectors, Mubadala Development Company, The Honorable Barbara A. Leaf, U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E., Mr. Justin Wilshaw, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Dubai South, and Mr. John G. Rice, Vice Chairman of General Electric.

H.E. Mansouri’s keynote address underscored the strategic importance of the U.S. military and commercial aerospace relationship while highlighting opportunities for increased collaboration. In addressing industry trends, the Minister highlighted the U.A.E.’s desire to be among the most innovative societies by 2030. The Dubai Airshow continues to prove its vital importance in the U.A.E.’s federally mandated economic diversification plan. H.E. Mansouri discussed the importance of the current Open Skies agreement to the ever-growing bilateral relationship. This year, over 3 million passengers will fly between the U.A.E. and the U.S. on over 250 non-stop flights to 10 U.S. gateways. These flights continue to create growing numbers of jobs in the U.S.

“Once again, I want to convey my sincere appreciation to the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council for their remarkable commitment to the bilateral U.S.-U.A.E. trade relationship demonstrated by the various activities they put together.This dinner, in partnership with AIA was a great example of bringing together key stakeholders from industry and government from both countries and underscores the importance of the strong bilateral aviation relationship,” saidH.E. Al Mansouri.“Both the U.S. and U.A.E. economies benefit greatly from the vibrant aviation relationship which commercially saw over 200 billion USD in U.A.E. deliveries and orders from U.S. manufacturers since the year 2000, including aircraft, services, and engines.”

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Following scene-setting remarks from U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President Danny Sebright, H.E. Al Muhairi spoke about the U.S.-U.A.E. commercial aerospace and manufacturing relationship. H.E. Al Muhairi underscored the significant strides taken by Mubadala and other Emirati companies in their efforts to further enhance the robust relationship between U.S. and Emirati businesses. H.E. Al Muhairi also touched upon Abu Dhabi’s Aerospace goals in 2016 and the importance of partnerships with the U.S.

In her remarks, Ambassador Leaf applauded H.E. Al Muhairi for his work in developing the U.A.E.’s burgeoning economy. Ambassador Leaf also underscored the strength of the economic, cultural, and security partnership between the U.S. and the U.A.E. when confronting shared threats to regional security before highlighting America’s best in class goods and services. She applauded the robust U.S. official government and military delegation visiting the show as a clear sign of the true strength of the partnership, and praised the Minister as a true friend of the relationship.

Upon taking the stage, Mr. Wilshaw welcomed the dinner’s distinguished guests before highlighting Dubai South’s latest work. In his brief comments, Mr. Wilshaw discussed the impact Dubai South has had and will continue to have on the U.A.E. economy. He underlined Dubai South’s Al Maktoum International Airport, which upon completion will be the largest airport in the world, as well as the event site for World Expo 2020. By 2027, Dubai South will have the capacity of handling upwards of 160 million passengers annually.

Before welcoming Mr. Rice to the podium, Mr. Sebright lauded Mr. Wilshaw’s efforts in making Dubai South the U.A.E.’s flagship urban development. Mr. Sebright also stressed that in the last 10 years, bilateral trade between the U.S. and U.A.E. has grown by 80% to nearly $25 billion in 2014, and is on track to grow much more in 2015. The U.A.E. continues to be the largest trading partner for the U.S. in the Middle East over the last 6 years.

Mr. Rice thanked all of the distinguished speakers and guests before introducing the Minister of Economy. He also praised the partnerships GE and other companies have in the U.A.E. and emphasized the future growth that this sector holds, including new areas of cooperation in supply chain and logistics.

The dinner concluded with Mr. Sebright wishing companies a successful week and thanking the distinguished speakers for their time.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151108005063/en/

U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council
Abad Allawi, 202-863-7288