DUBAI: The Dubai Association Centre (DAC) organised an interactive seminar Going Global: Creating a Common Language at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry head office recently. The seminar focused on how the UAE is moving into a knowledge-based economy while offering opportunities for local partnerships and collaborations for global associations to make Dubai a base to enter the region as well as many key emerging markets. Held on the side-lines of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) delegation’s week-long study mission to Dubai, the seminar highlighted the pivotal role played by the Center and the facilities it provides to attract international associations to Dubai.
Attended by over 50 delegates including the visiting US-based ASAE delegation and representatives of business groups and councils operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chamber, the seminar was attended by H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber, Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and Scott Wiley, Chairman, American Society of Association Executives and head of the delegation.
The Dubai Association Centre was established in the beginning of 2014 under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dubai Business Events (DBE, part of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing) and the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to offer assistance for the establishment of non-profit, apolitical and nonreligious professional associations and trade bodies in Dubai and to develop their activities and membership in the emirate and beyond.
In his welcome address, H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber, stated that this visit paves the way for a stronger partnership between DAC and global associations in the long run while highlighting the benefits of operating out of Dubai for global associations seeking expansion in the regional markets. “Today’s seminar discussing UAE’s post-oil strategy and the Vision 2021 plan allows us to gain a stronger understanding of knowledge economies in light of the UAE’s adoption of the Emirates Science, Technology and Innovation Higher Policy with $82 billion investments across 100 initiatives and national strategies covering legislation, investment, technology, education and finance.
“Dubai will play a major role in supporting these efforts, as the emirate gears up to host Expo 2020 whose site will transform into an ecosystem to encourage the growth of the UAE’s knowledge economy,” he said adding that Dubai Chamber supports these efforts through various initiatives that provide the right platforms that bring businesses and stakeholders together to explore areas and share knowledge and best practices.
Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Successful partnerships remain a central feature of the UAE Innovation Strategy – the primary tool through which we as a nation hope to achieve UAE Vision 2021, as well as an engine driving the growth of specific skills and capabilities across a range of sectors. Dubai Association Centre is a great example of how Dubai Tourism is partnering with Dubai Chamber and Dubai World Trade Centre to deliver Dubai’s Tourism Vision for 2020, UAE Vision 2021 and what lies beyond.
“Dubai Association Centre has also played an important role as a link between industry and international associations, creating opportunities for economic and intellectual growth. This work is particularly significant as Dubai shifts towards a knowledge-based economy. Looking ahead, as Dubai continues to embrace its growing role in the global economy, and as it works to ensure the happiness and fulfilment of its people, collaboration has never been more important,” added Kazim.
On his part, Scott Wiley, Chairman, American Society of Association Executives and head of the delegation, stated that associations play a pivotal role in integrating services, people and knowledge under one roof and can be instrumental in shaping the future of a knowledge economy. Thanking DAC for organising the seminar, Wiley added that ASAE enjoys a close relationship with DAC and this latest visit will help the partnership with the network members grow stronger as Dubai is the future for associations to find a common ground for serving their peers in the field.
On his part, Steen Jakobsen, Director, Dubai Business Events and City Operations, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, informed that the organisation of such seminars and networking events serves our purpose of promoting Dubai as an attractive destination for international associations looking to access the lucrative and relatively untapped Middle East market while exchanging experiences and information.
The presentations during the seminar focused on emerging markets’ transition into a knowledge hub, emirate’s mission to mars and how cross learning can drive your strategy while the panel discussion debated leapfrog to a knowledge economy with a common language. Being the region’s unique model, the Dubai Association Centre provides assistance to trade, scientific and business associations to set up office space and develop their activities and membership in Dubai and the wider Middle East region.
DAC allows a formal environment where international non-profit, professional associations and trade bodies can form a membership-based community or open a regional representative office to conduct business in the UAE and beyond. 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.
