DUBAI: The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), has finalised its preparations for its upcoming trade mission to India, which will take place from March 14-17, as part of its Global Business Forum series roadshow. The trade delegation will include dignitaries and senior businessmen from the UAE who will visit Mumbai and Ahmedabad, and meet key stakeholders from the cities’ private and public sectors. Senior officials from the Chamber are scheduled to meet with the Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Maharashtra during the visit, and discuss new ways the UAE and India can enhance economic cooperation. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman, Dubai Chamber, will lead the delegation, which will be joined by Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber; Essa Al Ghurair, Chairman of Al Ghurair Resources; Abdullah Al Sharafi, President, Gerab National Enterprises; Ismail Akil Abbasi, Chairman, Abbasi Group; Adel Al Ali, Executive Director -Development, Ports Customs and Free Zone Corporation Hotels; Kulwant Singh Thiara, President, Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) and Mr. Ahmad Belyoha, Chairman, Emirates Macaroni Factory. Buamim said that the trade mission supports the Chamber’s strategy to expand its international network and explore trade and investment opportunities in promising markets, which its members and business in Dubai stand to benefit from.
Dubai Chamber’s President and CEO described Mumbai and Ahmedabad as dynamic markets that offer a plethora of opportunities in fast-growing sectors. Telecommunications, hospitality, finance, construction, and pharmaceuticals, were identified as sectors that offer the most trade and investment potential in Mumbai, while Ahmedabad offers exciting growth prospects within its retail, textile, food and beverage, automobiles, gems and pharmaceuticals sectors. Buamim added that the delegation’s visit to India would lay the groundwork for forming important partnerships in the country, while it would also help pave the way for future cooperation in key areas that would bring about mutual benefits. “This trade mission will help us promote the 4th Global Business Forum on Africa, which we are planning to host in Dubai later this year. The high-profile event will serve as an important platform where Indian companies can learn more about growth opportunities in Africa and explore ways they can access the continent by leveraging Dubai’s status as a strategic hub,” he said.
In 2012, Dubai Chamber led a delegation to the Indian city of Surat, which is considered to be the world’s largest diamond manufacturing hub. During the trade mission, Dubai Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) to strengthen bilateral ties. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the Indian economy to grow by 6.6% this year, while the fund still considers India as a bright spot in the global economy. The value of trade exchanges between India and the UAE is projected to reach $100 billion by 2020, according to a recent report by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy.
