Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Chamber and the Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry (BECI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to increase and widen the scope of economic and investment cooperation between the Abu Dhabi Chamber, companies operating in Abu Dhabi and Belgian companies, the chamber said on Wednesday.
A high-level business delegation led by Princess Astrid of Belgium is on a three-day visit to the country. They are expected to meet the heads of number of companies to ink investment deals and enhance cooperation between the two countries.
Mohammad Thani Murshid Al Rumaithi, chairman of the Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the economic and investment cooperation between the UAE and Belgium had witnessed positive development over the past few years.
He revealed that the total volume of trade exchange between the two sides reached Dh7.7 billion by the end of 2013, adding that many Belgian companies operate in Abu Dhabi and contribute to the emirate’s social and economic development. He made the comments after a meeting with the Princess Astrid in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Princess Astrid who is leading the 400-strong business delegation said that there is great interest on the part of Belgian companies from all sectors to increase their presence in the UAE and increase their cooperation with local companies.
Meanwhile, Belgian company Six Construct, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, said it is involved in a number of important projects in the UAE.
The company, which started its operations in 1965 in the UAE has a number of projects to its credit including the Burj Khalifa, Shaikh Zayed Mosque, Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi Corniche and a number of other important infrastructure projects.
Saeed Bin Ahmad Al Otaiba, a partner in Six Construct, said the company played an important role in the development of the emirate’s real estate sector.
“There is a strategic cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Kingdom of Belgium. This is going to support investment going forward as Abu Dhabi embarks on [the development of] new infrastructure projects,” he said.
Six Construct’s first project — the Abu Dhabi Corniche — was built in 1965.
“We are proud to be part of the UAE’s history and are ready to build the future,” Pierre Sirnoval, managing director of Six Construct in the Gulf region, said..
