Held for the First Time in the Middle East to Honor Emirati and German Companies Presenting Outstanding Performance

Dubai, 21 February 2015: The German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK) has announced winners of its prestigious "German Emirati Business Awards 2015", which honor outstanding performance by German and Emirati companies in six categories. The announcement came in the AHK Awards Ceremony held yesterday at Raffles Dubai hotel, with representatives of winning companies, as well as prominent business figures from the Emirati and German business community in the UAE.

Commenting on the event, Dr. Peter Goepfrich, AHK CEO, said: "We are proud to be honoring best achieving companies in our two countries. The Awards come as a natural step in our efforts to bring the business communities in the UAE and Germany together, and highlight exceptional efforts exerted by companies in the two countries, especially in what enriches the relationship between the UAE and Germany. AHK undertakes to make the Awards an annual highlight in the business calendar, assuring that outstanding performance is always recognized and rewarded."

Awards were presented to winning companies by Saeed Al Ghurair, Vice Chairman of the German Emirati Joint Council (AHK) and they went to RAK Free Trade Zone Authority and SAP Training and Development Institute in the CSR category; Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, Siemens and Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in the Education category; Robert Bosch Middle East and Doka Middle East in the Innovation category; Kärcher Middle East and HIMA Middle East in the Technology category; Premier Composite Technologies in the Production category; and Sprudel Water Trading and Task Spotting in the start-ups category. AHK also presented two special awards: AHK Special Achievements Award for Media and PR, which went to Bridge Media, and AHK Loyalty Award, awarded to Ghassan Ahmed Al Sulaiman Trading(GAAST).

"The six award categories reflected AHK's commitment to high business standards," continued Dr. Goepfrich. "We wanted to emphasize our commitment to developing the business environment in our two countries beyond traditional boundaries, and honor achievements that support this vision."

Dr. Goepfrich also thanked the event's sponsors, especially platinum sponsors Lufthansa and GAAST, as well as gold sponsors SAP and Schaeffler, for their "valuable support to these Awards."

Karsten Zang, General Manager UAE and Director Gulf, Afghanistan and Pakistan at the event's platinum sponsor Lufthansa, commented, "Such awards represent an important incentive for companies to show their real potential. It is our pride to sponsor this remarkable initiative by AHK, and we are confident this annual award will leave a positive impact on the business scene in the two countries". On his part, Mazen Khourdaji, CEO of platinum sponsor GAAST, said, "As a UAE local company, we are proud to sponsor this event in Dubai. These awards come in line with our aim of strengthening the business ties between our country and Germany, and encouraging companies to go beyond the traditional definition of success."

Following the awards, the ceremony turned into a vibrant networking and gala event, enlightened by the elegant performance of Dance Studios Dubai's dancers, and the lively performance of The Fridge band.

It is worth mentioning that the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK) is a German semi-governmental organization and member of the worldwide German Chambers Network. It promotes and supports trade relations between Germany and the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, and in particular supports German companies in building up and extending their business in the region.

-Ends

Issued on behalf of The German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK) by bridge: media FZ-LLC, Dubai Media City.

For further information, please contact Bashar Antoun at:
Tel: (+9714) 375 43 35
Fax: (+9714) 375 45 00
Email: ba@bridge-media.com
Web:  www.bridge-media.com

© Press Release 2015