Strategic partnership between UAE and Canada to boost sustainable business in the region

"Strategic Partnership between UAE and Canada will boost sustainable business practices in the region" said Eng. Yahya Lootah, Vice Chairman and CEO of S.S. Lootah Group during his meeting with Mr. Harinder Takhar, Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Ontario, Canada. The Dubai based business conglomerate, known for its strong association with Canadian business growth in the Middle East region, hosted Mr. Harinder Takhar at the corporate headquarters of the Group in Dubai where further new initiatives to strengthen ties between S.S. Lootah Group and the Canadian business community was discussed.

"Our Canadian business partners have contributed greatly in realizing our vision of integrating sustainability as part of our business philosophy. We will continue to develop and identify business opportunities with our Canadian partners that not only offer cutting-edge technology, innovation and expertise but also share our values and vision towards building a sustainable future" said Eng. Yahya Lootah, Vice Chairman and CEO, S. S. Lootah Group.

Mr. Harinder Takhar, Canadian Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship commented on the occasion, "Both our countries are like-minded in many respects seeking to build secure and prosperous societies. S.S. Lootah Group has successfully utilized Dubai's position as the gateway to a vast region of more than 3 billion consumers, providing Canadian businesses with a platform to explore business opportunities in this robust economic region in key business sectors. Canada, as a pioneer in creating and adopting sustainable standards, will fully support the vision of S.S. Lootah and the UAE. "

Over the past 10 years, S.S. Lootah International, the investment and global business arm of S.S. Lootah Group, has established progressive alliances with a host of Canadian business majors across key industry sectors like construction and energy. The most recent initiative is the 'Sustainable Construction Group', a strategic alliance of seven Canadian companies with 22 experts specialised in LEED certification that will offer an entire gamut of sustainable project management solutions from design to construction, comprising of ZAS, TROW, H.H. Angus, Vanbots, The State Group, NCK, and Tas Designbuild.

UAE and Canada have always had thriving trade relations. UAE is Canada's largest merchandise export market in the MENA region with exports from Canada touching C$800m in 2006, 30% higher than the previous year. Including service exports, the two countries enjoy a billion dollar trading relationship.