Dubai and Saudi Chambers seek stronger ties

To share expertise and best practice across the GCC region, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a delegation led by the Council of Saudi Chambers at its head office recently.

The group of 17 senior officials from various Saudi chambers of commerce, led by Omar A. Bahlaiwa, Secretary General of the Council of Saudi Chambers, visited Dubai Chamber to learn more about its services and initiatives which support the business community.

Dubai Chamber’s Director General H.E. Hamad Buamim welcomed the delegation and gave a presentation outlining the non-profit organisation’s services and initiatives that benefit the business community.

“Dubai and Saudi Arabia have excellent relations and strong links exist between our two business communities,” he said. “Saudi Arabia is an important market for Dubai Chamber’s members. During the first eight months of this year, our members’ exports and re-exports valued AED 48.1 billion. This is equivalent to 27% of the total exports and re-exports, making Saudi Arabia one of the largest destinations for our members,” H.E. Buamim said.

His Excellency outlined some of the services and initiatives that could be adopted by Saudi chambers in order to enhance cross border trade, such as the ATA Carnet, which Dubai Chamber was instrumental in bringing to the UAE, making it the first country in the GCC to implement this international customs document.

Mr. Bahlaiwa praised Dubai Chamber for its efforts to increase cooperation with Saudi Arabian organisations. He said that Dubai Chamber has excellent relations with its partners across the region and internationally.

Mr. Bahlaiwa said that Dubai Chamber and the Council of Saudi Chambers have common objectives and approaches that they should use to help build on their existing good relationship. He added that he would be pursuing the launch of the ATA Carnet in the Kingdom in order to facilitate trade between the two countries.

Following the meeting, the Saudi delegation had a tour of Dubai Chamber’s building, which has recently undergone a major retrofit to bring facilities up to the latest health and safety standards.