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•Strategic business meeting is held on the side lines of the official UAE Ministry of Economy delegation visit to the country
•Al Mansouri: The UAE isa favourite investment destination for Belarusian investors andwe look forward to building strong bilateral relations withthisstrategic East European country
•Belarusian Minister of Economy: The Eurasian Economic Union offers a 'window of opportunity' to UAE investors
•Buamim: Dubai Chamber is directly supporting its members to make their presence felt in the world's most competitive marketswhile establishing strategic partnerships with these markets
Dubai - As part of its efforts to encourage growth of bilateral investment and business potential between the business communities of Belarus and the UAE,the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the UAE-Belarus Business Forum on Tuesday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Minsk.
The strategic business forum organised in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, UAE Ministry of Economy and Belarus National Agency of Investment and Privatisation was held on the side lines of the official UAE Ministry of Economy delegation visitheaded by H.E. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, to the East European country.
Attended by H.E. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdulaziz Al Shehhi, Undersecretary of UAE Ministry of Economy, H.E. Vladimir Zinovsky, Minister of Economy, Mr. Alexander Yaroshenko, Deputy Minister of Economy, Republic of Belarus, and over 40 Belarus and UAE Ministry of Economy officials and senior private sector representatives, the forum explored joint investment opportunities and areas of bilateral growth between the two trading partners.
Held in two sessions, the forum included presentations on the UAE Economy at a Glance by Al Mansouri, who highlighted the economic indicators and competitive business environment prevailing in the country while stressing that the visit aims to develop a road map for achieving positive results in raising the volume of trade five-fold through the next 10 years between the two countries.
He said:"The UAE's unique investment environment and its strategic location are important attractions for foreign direct investments to the country. Its sustainable development achieved through legislative and regulatory frameworks and the provision of highly developed infrastructural and financial facilities further enhance the country's status as a regional and global destination for investments.
"Also, the UAE's world-class free zones with their industrial and commercial sectionsprovide specialised integrated servicesand convenient logistical support extended by the country's much advanced airand seaports which offer an easy gateway to huge consumer markets of nearly two billion consumers in the region."
Al Mansouri added: "We are not only seeking investments but alsoexpertise, talent and projects that help transfer knowledge and know-howfor us to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 which emphasises on building a diversified and knowledge-based economy led by qualified Emirati people as well as the UAE Innovation strategywhich will stimulate innovation in seven sectors including renewable energy, transport, education, health, technology, water and space while enhancing quality of life and taking our economy to new horizons."
The Minister of Economy further stressed that the UAE is keen on cooperation with various global partners in promoting innovation in the areas identified by the UAE Innovation strategy.He called upon Belarusianbusinessmen and investors to attend specialised forums, conferences, exhibitions and meetingslike the Annual Investment Meeting organised by the UAE Ministry of Economy.
In his welcome address, H.E. Vladimir Zinovsky, Belarusian Minister of Economy,expressed his country's interest in enhancing economic cooperation with the UAE especially after the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union effective January 1, 2015 with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, as he said that his country is ready to provide its UAE partners with the opportunity to share the benefits of the Eurasian "window of opportunity".
Commenting on the organisation of the UAE-Belarus Business Forum, H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber, stated that the Chamber is directly supportingits members to make their presence felt in the world's most competitive markets, adding that the Belarusian market is an ideal destination for investments for UAE companies in key economic sectors of food and agriculture.
He further stated thatas an important link between the European markets and Russia, Belarus serves asa strategic gateway for UAE companies to enter these lucrative markets in line with Dubai Chamber's efforts to establish strategic partnerships with the world's promising business destinationswhile stimulating economic growth and a competitive business environment in the emirate.
In his welcome address, H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdulaziz Al Shehhi, Undersecretary of UAE Ministry of Economy, stated that in recent years, economic ties between the UAE and Belarus have progressed wellas trade exchange increased 39.4% just between 2012 and 2013. However, the numbers do not sufficiently reflect the strong relations between the two sides and the immense potential that exists to take the trade figures higher, he said.
H.E. Al Shehhi further stated that Belarus offers enormous opportunities in the field of food and agriculture and with its industrial expertise, and proximity to key markets in Europe and Russia, can complement the UAE's efforts to develop its own industries, he added.
Hecalled upon the Belarusian investors and businessmen to benefit fromthe UAE's competitive and attractive business landscape which is home to a wealth of knowledge and innovations, and also provides unhindered growth potential and faster access to emerging markets of the world.
In his presentation on Dubai Economy Prospects & Outlook 2015, Hassan Al Hashemi, Vice-President, International Relations, Dubai Chamber, highlighted the emirate's economic potential and its leading drivers of growth including trade, tourism, logistics and financial services, which he said hold immense investment potential for global investors.
The forum also had welcome address byAlexander Yaroshenko, Deputy Minister of Economy, Belarus, and presentations on Belarus's investment climate and projects by Natalya Nikandrova, Director, National Agency for Investment and Privatisation, and Viachaslau Bryl, Deputy Chairman, Belarus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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About Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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 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
