A new business council the Danish Business Council, Dubai has been inaugurated at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, officials said.
"The Danish Business Council, Dubai [DBCD] will provide a forum for Danish companies and individuals in Dubai to explore common issues and business opportunities.
"It will also promote and foster business relations between the UAE and Denmark and become a resource for Danish companies looking to set up operations in the UAE," said Jens Lund, DBCD's president.
The DBCD was inaugurated in the presence of Abdul Rahman Al Mutawee, Director-General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Thomas Bay, Consul of Denmark.
This brings the total number of councils under the DCCI to 29.
"Trade between Dubai and Denmark has been increasing steadily over the past five years. There are currently over 900 registered Danes resident in the UAE. The timing for the formation of this council has never been better," Lund said.
In 2002, Dubai's imports from Denmark stood at just over $77 million (Dh277 million) and exports and re-exports accounted for $6 million (Dh21.6 million).
"The importance of the UAE as a market was recognised last year when the UAE received a Danish business delegation headed by Prince Joachim, Prince of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Mariann Fischer Boel, Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries," Lund said.
"Currently, Danish companies operating in Dubai come from the maritime, food, audio-visual, IT, communication, pharmaceuticals, retail, oil and construction sectors, but we see this broadening in the next 12 to 18 months.
"We currently have over 30 members, but will be actively promoting the council to increase its membership and influence," Lund said.
