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• Top officials of global professional associations from varied economic sectors laud Dubai Association Centre's support in providing them an excellent podium to grow and excel in the UAE and the region
Dubai - Heads of global professional associations based in Dubai talk highly about the emirate's attractive investment environment stating that foreign investors benefit a lot from the city's competitiveness and business-savvy set-up that offers them a fertile ground to make a strong base here and to reach out to businesses in the lucrative regional markets.
Also, lauding the role of the Dubai Association Centre (DAC) for its support in setting up branches in the emirate, they registered their appreciation for the Centre's efforts in providing them an excellent podium to grow and excel in the UAE and the entire GCC region.
Belonging to various economic sectors, the top officials of Dubai-based global professional associations also praised their strategic partnership with the Centre which they said will support their long-term sustainability and growth in the future.
The Dubai Association Centre was established in the beginning of 2014 under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), with the aim to provide assistance to professional associations to set up office space and develop their activities and membership in Dubai and beyond.
Over the past over one year of its operations, the Centre has granted permission to 12 professional associations the Arab Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (ASPED), Gulf Heart Association, UITP - Advanced Public Transport, The Institution of Fire Engineers, GSMA, Middle East Gases Association (MEGA), the World Free Zones Organisation, International Advertising Association (IAA), The Southern Arabian Peninsula Chapter of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, Middle East & North Africa Franchise Association, International Institute of Business Analysis, and International Inter-professional Wound Care Group.
Mike Simpson, Secretary, The Southern Arabian Peninsula Chapter, International Association of Drilling Contractors, said: "Our association serves the oil and gas drilling community in the southern Arabian peninsula area as Dubai hosts a large number of our member's regional and home offices and with our objective for wider community engagement we value DAC's continuing support and input in helping us establish a formally registered organisation which will generate more interest in our community in the area to give time and effort to serving not only our industry needs but also to connecting more effectively with the local communities in which we live and work."
Hussein Ghattas, President, International Institute of Business Analysis UAE Chapter, said: "Dubai is an ideal place to set off the IIBA UAE Chapter aspirations to grow and establish the standards and best practices recommended by International Institute of Business Analysis under the guidance of Dubai Association Center which will bring increased value and support to members and partners alike. DAC will help the chapter to capture new opportunities that will transform the association and facilitate avenues to grow the chapter's membership and ensure the long-term sustainability of the local association."
Dr. Asma Deeb, Secretary General, Arab Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, said: "Our society consists of representatives from all Arab countries and is a part of the Global Pediatric Endocrinology Association and Dubai with its advanced resources and stable economy is an ideal base for us. Being a newly established society, the personnel expertise and the available resources of DAC will be a great asset to enhance our society's growth."
Gulnaz Tariq, Senior Charge Nurse and Unit Manager, Nursing, International Inter-professional Wound Care Group, said: Dubai is the centre of international business with a wide array of opportunities because of its known state-of-the art infrastructure and a world class business setting. On its part, DAC is providing its members an explicit and excellent podium and hence will be my strong support in assisting my future association."
Wael Almahmeed, President, Gulf Heart Association, said: "Dubai is an excellent base for the Gulf Heart Association as the city has multiple connections to all the Gulf countries and allows us to have regular board meetings and conferences while DAC which has provided us with the platform to take our association to the next level will help us develop proper association management, and to hold major conferences in the emirate."
Peter Stephenson, Associate Director, BuroHappold Engineering, the Institution of Fire Engineers, said: "As a city brand Dubai has demonstrated significant growth in recent years and as a regional financial and commercial centre will allow our local Institution of Fire Engineers Branch to consolidate and develop our services for our members whilst working with the local community to achieve international best practices across the region. DAC has given us tremendous support in establishing a local branch based in the UAE and we see the Centre as a long-term strategic partner as we grow our membership across the region. With new facilities coming online later this year we believe this will benefit all DAC members."
Samir Hamrouni, CEO, World Free Zones Organisation, said: "Dubai is the ideal base for the World FZO, as we look to enhance the image of free zones globally and promote best practices for all our member zones. Launched just a year ago, our organisation's goals and objectives are ambitious and with DAC's support we are confident we will achieve them as the Centre will provide us with guidance and best practice examples from regional and international member associations as we look to establish ourselves as the collective and authoritative voice for free zones across the world."
Dr. Khalid Al Sharfa, Chairman, Middle East & North Africa Franchise Association, said: "Dubai's visionary leadership, pro-business government, suitability as a global hub for multinational brands, connectivity and logistics infrastructure are among the main reasons why we decided to choose Dubai as a base for MENAFA. We see DAC as a great strategic partner for our association from day one and will continue to work closely together to achieve our mutual goals toward the development of the franchising industry in the UAE and the MENA region as a whole.
Frank H. Finger, General Secretary, Middle East Gases Association, said: "When launching our Association, Dubai was from the beginning the centre point for our consideration due to its excellent connectivity to EU, Asia, and all GCC countries which makes organising internal and external meetings so easy as many of our member companies have their head offices or at least branches in the city. The support of DAC, when making contact with important partners including authorities and official bodies in GCC countries, is highly appreciated. Staying closer together with DAC, will open additional possibilities for our fruitful cooperation with the Centre in the near future."
Besides granting permission to 12 professional associations, DAC is currently studying over 50 applications for licensing, eight applications are under approval for issuance of licence and the Centre is in conversation with over 60 regional and international associations interested in setting up an office or chapter in Dubai.
DAC allows a formal environment where international non-profit, scientific and professional associations can form a membership-based community and open a regional representative office to conduct business in the UAE and the wider Middle East region.
For associations, the advantages of setting up in Dubai go beyond the obvious attractions of a well-developed city at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and all the prospects for new business this creates. DAC provides practical support, in the form of serviced office accommodation in Sheikh Rashid Tower and access to the networking facilities of the World Trade Club, both located at Dubai World Trade Centre, the region's leading events and exhibition venue.
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About Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Established in 1965, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is celebrating its milestone anniversary of 50 years empowering vision in Dubai's business community. A non-profit public entity, Dubai Chamber supports Dubai's vision as a global player by empowering businesses, providing innovative value added services and access to influential networks. Its mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favourable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub. For more information visit: www.dubaichamber.com
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© Press Release 2015
