Al Mutaiwee assures that political stability guarantees trade continuity with Iraq

Al Mutaiwee noted during his meeting with Mr. Mitsuhito Ono, Senior Economist, at the Institute of International Trade & Investment in Japan that "There must be a stable formula to ensure the shipping of commodities and goods to Iraqi markets, and security is very important to motivate and activate trade and business in respect of customs, taxes, transportation as well as financing".

Mr. Ono is currently on a fact finding visit to the region, which has been organized by the Japanese External Trade Organization, "JETRO". Ono was the ex-director of JETRO's office in Dubai during the mid nineties.

Al Mutaiwee pointed out that the local trade with Iraq was not cut off during the ruling period of the former government in Iraq, as Dubai was able to supply Iraqi markets with certain products within the frame of "Oil For Food Program", but the government has been changed and the program Moreno longer exists.

Al Mutaiwee said that establishing the Iraqi Business Council in Dubai and the northern emirates is an initiative promoted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry in order to set up constructive and positive relations with the Iraqi market, whether through partnerships between DCCI's members of UAE nationals and their Iraqi counterparts, by offering free zone facilities or by creating an umbrella for Iraqi physicians, engineers and others.

During this meeting, they reviewed the current business situation in Dubai, as Dacca's Director General clarified to the Japanese guest that the Dubai government had established a system in the late eighties which does not adhere to seasonal events, but is one which maintains perseverance and permanence throughout the year, as promotional activities which attract many visitors to Dubai and in turn aid many businesses to flourish, are continuous in Dubai. In addition, the government is continuously providing its citizens with new initiatives, which help them thrive in their businesses throughout the year. One example is the Governors Meetings being held next September, which are considered to a very important event for Dubai, the U.A.E. and the Arab World, and these meetings require a heavy volume of work and effort in the preparation and organization.

Al Mutaiwee said: "We in Dubai do not concentrate on one sector more than others in our development journey. We have been used to concentrating on trade and non-petroleum activities whilst maintaining great balance, and from there, we bear great interest in the service sector, the finance sector and the manufacturing sector, enabling us to export some of our products abroad, as our local products have achieved a place on the market.