Dubai: The US Consulate General Compound on Dubai Creek, which has been operational since August 2011, held its official dedication ceremony yesterday.
Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the structure built on land donated to the US by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The Consulate's opening coincides with the build up to the UAE's 40th anniversary, hence a celebration of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
US Ambassador Michael H. Corbin said, "The goals of this establishment are to serve as a platform for all the areas of cooperation that we have between the US and UAE.
"That includes educational advising, of course the visas, but it also includes support for Emiratis who wish to invest in the US, and US businesses who wish to work here. It includes tourism information and it includes health and medical care."
An important service for the consulate is educational services. The US has had a long history of accepting Emirati students.
New building
The new building is a substantial step towards increasing those numbers, and is capable of giving educational advice to an entire class.
The structure, which cost $126 million (Dh463 million), boasts a waiting area large enough to hold 160 applicants at a time. Justin Siberell, the US Consul General, said, "Now we have a purpose-built facility to welcome people and I think in a style and environment which is befitting to our presence here so we are very proud of it."
Siberell hopes the new establishment will assist in developing business relations between the two countries. "Trade relations have grown by 600 per cent between 2000 and 2009; we're seeking increased bilateral trade now," he said. "We believe that with this facility, with our capabilities here we can help to improve and enhance that trade."
CONTACT POINT
- The new US Consulate General compound's phone number is: +971-4-309-4000
- After Hours Emergency Contact Number: +971-2-414-2200
- Address: At the corner of Al Seef Road and Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road, Dubai.
