Dubai, UAE: Dubai and the Basque Country, the autonomous community of Northern Spain play their important roles of strategic gateways to their respective regions and both have worked hard to achieve the economic progress of their countries and regions, maintained HE Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In his welcome address during the reception hosted in honour of the visiting Basque Country President HE Patxi Lopez, heading a 13-member government delegation at the Chamber premises on Sunday, Al Ghurair said that Dubai presents excellent investment opportunities and re-export facilities to the region; offering huge prospects for businesses from both sides.
Also present at the meeting were HE Majed Hamad Rahma Al Shamsi, 1st Vice Chairman, Rashid Humaid Ali Al Mazroei, Member of the Executive Committee, Dubai Chamber, HE Gonzalo de Benito, Ambassador of Spain to the UAE and Bernabe Unda, Counselor of Industry, Commerce, Innovation and Tourism, Government of the Basque Country, as the two sides discussed ways of strengthening trade ties in various economic fields and areas of attractive investment opportunities between Dubai and the Basque Country.
Al Ghurair further added that Dubai and Spain enjoy excellent trade ties for some time now as Spain ranked 41st in the list of Dubai's top trading partners as presently there are 52 Spanish companies registered with Dubai Chamber, 11 of which are fully owned by Spanish businessmen. Dubai's non-oil trade with the country valued at AED 3.8 billion in 2009. The Emirate has built solid and close relations with official and commercial entities and is poised for an excellent trading relationship with Spain in the long run, he said.
The Chairman of Dubai Chamber emphasized that Dubai, over the years, has established itself as an international business hub with modern infrastructure, competitive business environment and unlimited Government support to the business community. He said that trade, including exports and re-exports, financial services, logistics and tourism are the driving forces of the Emirate's economy and are the potential areas the Spanish companies can benefit from.
He also invited the Spanish companies to participate more actively in Dubai's global exhibitions and conference which he said are held all throughout the year. He further said that this participation will further help boost bilateral ties for Dubai and Spanish businesses.
On his part, HE Patxi Lopez, President of Basque Country, lauded the economic progress of Dubai which he said the Emirate has achieved in a short span of time and expressed his country's interest in developing joint economic and trade relations with Dubai which he said will serve the common objectives of both the sides.
Highlighting the areas of cooperation, HE Patxi Lopez informed that the Basque Country offers Innovative projects in bio-technology, nano-technology, R&D, sustainability and renewable energy in addition to exports to the wider European region.
The President also stressed upon the public private partnership in his country and invited Dubai Chamber members to explore the enormous investment opportunities in the Basque Country's knowledge-rich sectors of science and technology. He called for the strengthening of social and cultural ties between the two countries as well.
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Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favorable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub.
© Press Release 2011
