Aiming to introduce its initiatives and services, DCCI holds a lunch banquet honoring the business community in Dubai

The banquet was attended by a number of chairmen, directors and representatives of the DCCI member organizations.

In his speech on this occasion, Abdul Rahman G. Al-Mutaiwee, DCCI Director General, welcomed the attendees and wished this gathering to be a starting-point for more fruitful cooperation between the two sides.

"The significance of this occasion is that, it coincides with the 40th anniversary of DCCI operations in developing and promoting the local business community and supporting investment in the Emirate of Dubai 'The Future City of the Middle East'," said Al-Mutaiwee.

He said that DCCI is embarking on an ambitious programme to further support the local business community and promote Dubai as a world-class destination for business and trade.

He added that Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry plays a key role in supporting the business community and potential investors to develop, diversify their trade activities and interact with the business circles locally, regionally and internationally.

He mentioned that Dubai has a strategic stance as a commercial and economic center conjugating many countries in the world with the biggest and most growing markets in the Middle East, Africa and Indian Sub-Continent, via numerous international trade exhibitions & fairs held in Dubai annually, conducive for business across the globe.

"Before I conclude, I would like to seize this opportunity to declare to all DCCI members, its clients and the business community in Dubai that most of our services will soon go online including the Membership Registration, Attestations and Country of Origin Certificates Issuance for the purpose of facilitating the procedures for the DCCI members and clients, and offering world-class services to help them open new horizons for their businesses locally and internationally that will enable them to compete more effectively and market their products and services in the regional and international outlets," he said.

He also said: "Realizing the importance of building the appropriate capabilities required for servicing the business community in Dubai efficiently and within its strategy, DCCI founded a number of business groups, which reach now 18, representing certain economic sectors with the purpose of activating the relationships with DCCI's members. In addition, DCCI founded 33 business councils operating under its umbrella and play a key role in enhancing the economic ties between businesspersons in the UAE and the business communities in the countries these councils represent."

He further affirmed that DCCI plays a pivotal role in assisting the governments, trade commissions and foreign companies in setting up representative offices and trade centers in Dubai. These offices and centers reached 72 by end of 2005.

On the other hand, Radhwan Halaby, Export Manager, NAFFCO of Fire Fighting Systems said that DCCI plays a significant role in opening international horizons before the business community in Dubai through organizing exhibitions, conferences and economic partnership forums nationally and internationally.

The event involved showing a documentary film about DCCI and the most crucial stages of its development over four decades including showing the most important initiatives and services DCCI delivers to the business community in Dubai.

At the conclusion of the event, DCCI Director General honored a number of member companies included SAIFEE TRUNK FACTORY (L.L.C), oldest industrial member, ABDUL MAJEED HAMADEH & CO, oldest professional member, CARLTON TOWER HOTEL, oldest tourist company, NASSER BIN ABDULLATIF ALSERKAL EST, oldest trading member and OILFIELD INTERNATIONAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES INC, top of Country of Origin Certificates producer for 2005.