DCCI charts new vision for business

Among a string of new initiatives aimed at maximising the DCCI's role in the new millennium are plans to create new Business Groups to better represent the interests of a wide variety of Dubai's leading economic sectors.

It was announced at a press conference today that seven new Business Groups are currently in the development stage, catering for business areas as diverse as healthcare equipment and land transport.

The first Business Group open meeting, dedicated to foodstuffs trading, is scheduled for October 8.

Obaid Al Tayer, President of DCCI, said: "Since its inception four decades ago, the Chamber has played a crucial role in establishing the accepted practices of local commerce, and has actively participated in addressing issues affecting a wide variety of economic sectors."

Al Tayer continued: "Our vision at DCCI is to remain the indispensable source of competitive advantage for business in Dubai. With events such as: Dubai The City That Cares, Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises now firmly established, Dubai is enjoying unprecedented exposure on the international business scene."

He added: "The Chamber's mission is to be the recognised organisation of choice to promote, represent and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by providing relevant services and information and influencing policy making, and creating new business opportunities.

"DCCI is fully aware that its responsibilities must evolve to meet the new challenges currently facing the local business community, and today's announcement to pioneer a series of new Business Groups demonstrates our commitment to remaining proactive and innovative in our relationship with the Chamber's valued members."

Among the new Business Groups being planned are groups for foodstuffs trading; printing and publishing; land transport; food and beverages manufacturing; building materials trading and manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and hospital equipments; and for organisers of exhibitions and conferences. Full implementation is expected to take up to six months.

The new groups will complement the work of the existing business groups for the automobile and vehicles, electronics, textiles and ready-made garments, and gold and jewellery sectors. While the DCCI will help recommend working methods and organisational structures, attend meetings, and offer assistance wherever necessary, the Business Groups will be essentially autonomous.

Al Tayer continued: "The aim of the proposed Business Groups is to strengthen relationships between members, assisting the Chamber to review their suggestions and recommendations, and enhancing its role as facilitator in member dealings with government here in the UAE and abroad."

The Chamber will also assist the business councils of foreign countries to help them develop closer ties with local businesses.

Plans to further improve the Chamber's market and legal research faculties, membership data gathering procedures, and its communication channels with existing members are among the Chamber functions that will receive special attention in the months ahead, along with methods to evaluate the performance of DCCI departments.

One of the Chamber's top priorities will be to conduct micro and macro-economic research and issue detailed reports on the socio-economic environment in Dubai and the UAE as well as sector-specific and product-specific reports.

Al Tayer said: "We have identified eight key actions that the DCCI will make a priority: establishing formal agreements with international chambers and organisations; organising high-impact trade fairs and exhibitions in selected countries; arranging trade missions; appointing trade specialists covering target regions to facilitate trade; promoting good corporate behaviour; gathering, maintaining and disseminating trade information; supporting export trade; and establishing a networking forum to develop new business.

He added: "We believe this is a rock-solid template for successful business growth that will maintain Dubai's reputation as a world-class destination for trade for many years to come."

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