Dubai Chamber Suhoor event unveils big success

The meeting was also attended by HE Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, Second Vice Chairman of Dubai Chamber, who presented a souvenir to the Minister.

Al Mansouri, who was welcomed by HE Eng Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber, apprised the elite gathering of Council Generals, Councilors and heads of business groups with the latest figures of the country's non-oil sector's contribution in the growth of the national economy and the high percentage of GDP achieved despite global inflation which the UAE managed to contain due to the strong public-private sector cooperation.

He also spoke about the Federal Government's Strategy Plan implemented by his Ministry and the related laws and legislations which are in place for a healthy business environment.

He said:

"As always, the Ministry of Economy understands and shares the concerns of the business community and the general public. The policies and programmes that we undertake are designed to benefit the society at large and are aimed at protecting the interests of all stakeholders. The vision of our Rulers has helped us to tide over difficult economic times. In fact, the UAE in general has remained insulated from the global recessionary trends and I extend my gratitude to everyone in the retail sector, who have partnered with us in curbing inflation specially our partners in the food supply and cement production sectors as our focus on diversifying the economy and the emphasis on infrastructure spending is now paying dividends."

Al Mansouri said, "The last three months leading to Ramadan has seen several top food retailers joining hands with us in a campaign to manage the prices of essential commodities. This is indeed a kind gesture from their side that reflects the spirit of Ramadan. This move has helped us all earn the goodwill of the people and also highlight the message to the world that in the UAE, the Government and the private sector work together for the well-being of the people."

Al Mansouri said the UAE GDP in 2007 reached Dhs729.7bn, with a growth of 7.4% from last year's figures, while the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP for the same year was a healthy Dhs467bn, which constitute 64.1% of the total UAE GDP for 2007. Al Mansouri, also recalled his days with Dubai Chamber in the light of his address to the business community.

During his welcome speech, Buamim informed the gathering that the Suhoor event was organized as part of Dubai Chamber's regular monthly networking gatherings that serve as an important platform to open communication channels with the business community and the business groups and councils that they represent. "Policy Advocacy has an important role in Dubai Chamber's strategy that enables us to voice the interest of the business community that we are representing. Also as agreed earlier, we will be using this platform to strengthen the relationship between the Business Community and the Government, as we all are working together for the prosperity of the country and its people and that includes both citizens and residents."

Buamim shared with the gathering some of the important upcoming events of the Chamber as he said:

"Let me take this opportunity to inform you that Dubai Chamber has a number of events coming up in the remaining part of the year including next month's Dubai International Fashion Week and the first anniversary of the "Making it our Business" Breast Cancer Awareness Programme. In November, we have the Russia Investment Roadshow, Arbitration in Investment & Commercial Relations Investment - Arab Countries, Middle East Corporate Social Responsibility Conference and the MRM Business Award with its new categories of Corporate Social Responsibility and Logistics & Supply Chain Awards."

Added Buamim, "December will be the busiest month for Dubai Chamber as we are hosting Dubai-Hamburg Business Forum 2nd Round in Hamburg, Germany, where we expect a delegation of 60-80 people from Dubai and I urge the business community to participate in large numbers as did the Germans last year."

According to Buamim, information of the Forum which is very important for the City of Dubai, focusing on major sectors of interest for both cities including Maritime Finance & Insurance, Health Care Sector, Renewable Energy, Logistics, and Media & IT, can be obtained from the Chamber's website.

Buamim also informed that the Chamber will be launching (DubaiBizMatch.com portal) to support e-business in Dubai and International Debt Collection Service.