Dubai: A US delegation comprising members of the Association of American Chambers of Commerce (ACCE) this week visited Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the Economic Zones World flagship operation and Jebel Ali Port, the home of global container terminal operator DP World.
The US-Dubai 2010: Executive Business Leaders Mission to Dubai was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry to boost trade ties between Dubai and the US and to reaffirm Dubai's position as a popular investment destination for American businesses and a gateway to the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The mission comprises more than 40 officials of major American chambers from ACCE representing thousands of companies.
The Dubai Chamber also hosted a roundtable discussion attended by delegates from the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and the 45 visiting American chairmen, presidents and CEOs at its premises Wednesday.
The US is Dubai's third largest trading partner. Dubai Chamber members' exports to the US in 2009 were valued at Dh377 million.
Exports
The UAE's exports to the US were valued at $1.3 billion, an increase of 24 per cent in the first nine months of 2009.
Officials from Dubai World, Economic Zones World and DP World welcomed the delegation.
The dignitaries were briefed on the facilities that the region's biggest free zone and world's sixth largest port offer to customers.
More than 230 American companies are based in Jafza, including the Fortune 500 group Halliburton. GE, Dow, 3M, ExxonMobil, Johnson & Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, Xerox, Tyco, Pepsi, Kraft, Del Monte Food, Ford and Goodrich are also there.
"The ACCE leaders' visit was of high importance to us," Ebrahim Mohammad Al Janahi, Chief Commercial Officer, Jafza, said: "It reflected the strong ties between the two economies and the keenness on the part of the delegation to have a first-hand look at the latest multi-dimensional developments in the free zone and the port.
"American companies based in the free zone play a huge role in boosting trade through Dubai. We are proud to be supporting this continuing bilateral co-operation."
