Sheikha Lubna Al-Qasim addresses Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group of Companies

The event, held at the Dubai Creek Golf Club, was an opportunity to reaffirm the links between Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group of Companies (the Group represents two main French brands: Peugeot and Air France) and the French Business community based in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Abdullah Mohammed Al Naboodah, Group Managing Director represented the group with François Dao president of the French Business Council they welcomed the guests and have confirmed the organisation of this event for the future. Over 150 guests heard Sheikha Al-Qasimi's views on the Internet and how it has contributed to faster communication and transaction; Mr. Hussein Al Jaziri, Vice President of the French Business Council, introduced her to the guests.

In line with the subject "The Impact of E-Business in the UAE," Tejari's leader discussed the willingness of the regional business community to adopt online trading practices. As part of her presentation, Sheikha Al-Qasimi drew on the experience she has gathered during the past three years as the leading executive for the regional online marketplace.

"Decision-makers in the UAE have demonstrated that they are open to change and new innovations. Having a business community lead by people willing to push the boundaries contributes to a thriving and constantly changing economic and technological landscape," said Sheikha Al-Qasimi.

"Launching Tejari more than three years ago was a bold move, but it has succeeded based on the tangible business benefits that online procurement is delivering to businesses. Now that we've set a regional e-business standard, there is a great deal of momentum behind us - including more than 2,000 trading partners," she continued.

"The Internet has had a profound effect on the way people do business by enabling greater mobility, which is vital to business in this region, and allowing people to stay in touch regardless of their physical location. In Tejari's case, the Internet has enabled our members to do business across regional and international borders with a new community of trading partners," said Sheikha Al-Qasimi.

Discussing the increased acceptance of e-business models in the UAE, Sheikha Al-Qasimi explained that the trend was also picking up speed across other countries in the region. "Tejari is an avenue for people to do business more efficiently and this need extends past the borders of the UAE. Tejari has recently launched in Lebanon and Jordan, with our Iraq operations just announced recently. The potential for Tejari to enter other regional markets is something that we are assessing daily," she added.

Drawing over 16 years experience in information technology management in the Middle East, Sheikha Al-Qasimi fielded questions from the audience. Gathered at the event were representatives from French companies with a presence in the UAE, French nationals working in the UAE, and members of the business community.