DCCI receives 4 of the "Middle East Cities of the Future Awards"

The Awards handing over ceremony was held in Fujairah Room at the Dubai International Exhibitions and Conferences Center.

The four awards that Dubai won include the Best Economic Potential Award, Best Quality of Life for Expatriates Award, Best Telecommunications & Transport Award, and Most Business Friendly Award.

Buamim expressed his comfort for having Dubai won these prestigious awards. He also showed his gratitude for selecting the DCCI to receive the awards. He said that winning these awards reflects Dubai's growing economic importance as one of the most significant regional and international business centers in the Middle East. Buamim stressed the DCCI's crucial role in underlining the economic potential of Dubai through its continuous support to the local business community, as well as its quality services, facilities and information needed by every businessman and investor eyeing Dubai to launch new successful businesses.

"Dubai is honored to receive these valuable awards. It is an opportunity to praise Dubai's leadership for developing the emirate and putting Dubai on the map of advanced countries. Dubai deserved the world's appreciation and interest as it succeeded in attracting top international companies to open new regional branches due to Dubai's position as a business hub in the Middle East," said Buamim.

He pointed out that Dubai deserved to win the Best Economic Potential Award due to the emirate's GDP which increased by 27% in 2005, with trading and repairing services mostly contributing to the growth of economy. He added that the second award won by Dubai as the Best Quality of Life for Expatriates was a result of the real enjoyable lifestyle experienced by Dubai expatriates who come from more than 150 nationalities, living in a unique harmony with the UAE nationals and enjoying a safe, stable and modern life.

He noted that Dubai has deservedly won the Best Telecommunications and Transport Award thanks to the emirate's developing infrastructure which made it the best city in the Arab and Middle East region. It was also due to Dubai's strategic facilities such as Dubai International Airport which is still expanding and which received more than 22 billion passengers in 2004, in addition to the emirate's 4 seaports and 2900 km of sophisticated road network which is expected to be supported with Dubai's new metro project due to be completed in 2010.

"Having Dubai won the Best Business Friendly Award was expected simply because the city enjoys an open market with no corporate or income taxes which encouraged large numbers of investors to set up new businesses in Dubai enjoying all the facilities, support and services they get from the DCCI which is committed to provide them with the best environment to practice their businesses effectively, thanks to the 19 business groups and 34 business councils the DCCI established, as well as its initiative of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award," Buamim added.