Swiss business council

Established in 1996, the Swiss Business Council (SBC) is a non-profit organisation, licensed by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the UAE.

A lively and stimulating forum of diverse interests, SBC has a constantly expanding membership ranging from UAE national corporations and Swiss multinationals to individual private members. With its office in the Emarat Atrium building, SBC has currently 172 members.

"We started the SBC because we wanted to set up an organisation that would promote and enhance mutual business and cultural exchanges between the UAE and Switzerland. We act as a bridge between the two countries," says Peter Harradine, President of the Swiss Business Council.

SBC's mission is to provide a forum in which Swiss business executives and other businessmen with Swiss interests may identify, discuss and pursue common interests regarding their activities.

SBC meets its objectives of supporting commercial and personal relations between its members and to promote economic, social and cultural relations between the UAE and Switzerland by providing a platform for its members to communicate with representatives of the government and private sectors of both countries.

It works closely with the Swiss Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Swiss Consulate Dubai and Swiss Business Hub Dubai to facilitate this interaction. Overseen by an Executive Committee, the SBC organises a regular, diverse calendar of events and activities, including presentations and dialogue with influential local and expatriate decision-makers, introduction of new Swiss companies in the UAE, and discussions with representatives of the UAE and Swiss governments. It conducts monthly social and networking events that stimulate the exchange of ideas and experiences. The events are open to members and invited guests.

Events that are popular with the Swiss community in the UAE include the Spring Festival in March and the arrival of Santa Claus in December. This year 1,500 people attended the Spring Festival, which was held at the Oasis Beach Hotel in Dubai. "We manage to complete about 85 per cent of our copious agenda and we are happy that we can arrange these events successfully and the way the SBC is functioning. We have managed to generate a lot of interest in the market about Swiss companies and vice versa," says Harradine.

Members of the SBC receive updates and newsletters covering business, cultural and promotional activities in the UAE. Some of the benefits of being in SBC are that it provides the opportunity to promote a member company located in the UAE or Switzerland, assists members with any issues relating to establishing or operating in the UAE through sharing its experience, knowledge and network, works with individuals and organisations in the UAE on matters of mutual interest, and provides access to privileged rates in SBC member hotels in the UAE. In addition, there is the advantage of participating in business and social networking events and discussing issues with knowledgeable speakers.

"In the last 10 years, we have seen an increase in exchange of business between the two countries. Our main advantages are networking ability and our expertise and contacts in the businesses here. We support and participate in shows such as the Arab Health, Gitex, Arabian Travel Market, Big Five and other major exhibitions in Dubai. We also work to create a positive impression about the region, the culture and the people," says Harradine.

"The SBC may be small compared to other business councils but we are dynamic and try to be like Dubai - fast and active. We do not want to rest on our laurels but keep redefining our objectives as new opportunities are being created on an almost daily basis."