Dubai Chamber participates in the 8th World Chambers Congress in Doha

Seeking to strengthen relations with global chambers of commerce and as part of its efforts to support world trade, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be actively participating in the International Chambers of Commerce’s World Chambers Federation (WCF) 8^th World Chambers Congress in Doha, from April 22 to 25 at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

As an Emerald sponsor, Dubai Chamber will be representing the emirate’s business community to global business leaders while showcasing itself as one of the leading chambers in the region in light of the Congress being held in Qatar. It is also the Chamber’s chance to highlight the world-class services offered to multinational businesses in Dubai and to meet, exchange best practices and develop long-term cooperation ties with other chamber leaders.

H.E. Buamim informed that Dubai Chamber’s participation in this global event is very important as it provides a fitting platform for the Chamber to enhance its cooperation ties with other prominent chambers of commerce in the world and to learn and share experiences while also discussing current issues faced by the chambers during the course of their operations.

This also goes in line with Dubai Chamber’s strategy of expanding into global markets through the new representative offices being opened by the chamber while meeting various chamber heads to discuss business opportunities for our members and to attract global companies to set up base in Dubai. This participation will also allow us to play the role of an active member of the global organisation, said H.E. Buamim.

The biennial global event organised by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the theme ‘Opportunities for All’ is a first in the region and will see an assembly of the global community and their business leaders from more than 12,000 chambers of commerce from over 100 countries sharing, learning and building new networks of opportunity in the wake of the challenges faced by the leading business facilitators of the world.

Dubai Chamber will make its presence felt with an attractive booth which will disseminate information about the Chamber’s initiatives, services and facilities offered to its members and the investment opportunities available for the international business community in the various economic sectors in Dubai and the important role played by the Chamber in promoting global trade.

The Chamber’s participation is of immense significance as its Director General, H.E. Hamad Buamim, has been elected the Deputy Chairman of WCF for a three-year mandate until 2015, and is heading a strong 12-member Dubai Chamber delegation and will be moderating the Chamber of Commerce Brand workshop session while the Chamber’s Senior Director, Commercial Services Sector, Mr. Atiq Juma Nasib, who is Deputy Chair of International Certificates of Origin Council, is one of the speakers at the CO workshop session.

The Chamber of Commerce Brand workshop on April 24 will deal with the topic of how can chambers reinforce their global image as flexible, dynamic organisations while facing higher member expectations, increased competition, diverse member market and shrinking revenue sources as well as their readiness in meeting the challenges of the future.

The panel includes Michael Barnett, Chief Executive of the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Salah S. Hassan, Professor of Marketing at the George Washington University, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, and André Marcon, President of CCI France.

On his part, Mr. Nasib, will be speaking at the Certificates of Origin workshop session which will discuss the importance of COs in facilitating global trade, acceptance of eCOs and some of the current trends and challenges faced in the issuance of COs. This session, which is moderated by Lee Ju Song, Regional Director of the ICC Asia Office and Deputy Chief Executive of Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, includes Mette Werdelin Azzam, Technical Officer in the World Customs Organization (WCO), Luc Dardaud from the Foreign Trade Facilitation Department of the Paris Ile-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Carman Rossi, President and Founder of eCertify as speakers.

Also, after its shortlisting as finalist of the Best CSR Project in the World Chambers Competition, Dubai Chamber will give a presentation entitled, A Legacy of Success: 15 years of CSR leadership in the Middle East on its LEED-certified building in the region on April 23. The Chamber is pitted against the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

The competition, organised by the ICC World Chambers Federation, is the only international event of its scale that recognises innovative projects undertaken by chambers of commerce and industry from around the world. Dubai Chamber stands a good chance to win the competition in light of its long legacy of various CSR initiatives - from green building to the University of Dubai, the Centre for Responsible Business and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award Program.