Dubai : Dubai's private sector, represented by 25 business groups and 39 business councils, on Thursday joined diplomats, government officials and the business community at an annual gala dinner hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Dubai Business Gala 2010 proved to be yet another spectacular networking evening with Dubai's business leaders marking the city's history of international trade at the Madinat Arena.
The Chamber's signature networking event held annually under the patronage and attendance of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, was attended by senior government officials and consuls general. With them were Chamber officials Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman, Hisham Al Shirawi, second Vice-Chairman, and Hamad Bu Amim, Director General.
Business facilitator
"As a business facilitator, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been propagating the cause of the business community by opening up channels of communication with its members and representatives of business councils and groups and trade centres. The Chamber has also been playing the role of a conduit between the public and private sectors and voicing their concerns and recommendations to the relevant Government authorities," Bu Amim said.
Combined with Arab hospitality, international entertainment shows and other cultural elements, the event took the gathering on a journey through Dubai's history of international trade from the early fishing, pearling and sea trade to today's modern global business era. It also paid tribute to the efforts of Dubai's trade community comprising people of over 190 nationalities.
The event turned out to be a colourful treat with its cultural extravaganza featuring performances of Jordanian Dabkeh and Syrian traditional dances, Indian fusion dance, Filipino choir and much more.
"In order to raise the profile of Dubai businesses in global business arenas, the Chamber initiates, organises and participates in various international forums and has also been exploring investment opportunities for its members in emerging markets of the world," Bu Amim said.
This also comes in line with the requirements of the business community and in the pursuit of the Chamber's strategic objectives to create a favourable business environment, support the development of business and promote Dubai as an international business hub. The Dubai Business Gala too comes under the sphere of the Chamber's efforts to facilitate networking opportunities for businesses from various economic sectors of the emirate. Since its inception last year, the Business Gala with its over 1,000 attendees is considered one of the largest business meetings of its kind in the Middle East.
"With networking as one of the cornerstones of the success of the Business Gala, the cultural evening provides a unique platform to meet, network, and explore new business opportunities with like-minded business people from all around the world," Bu Amim said.
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