New premises to assist BBG to further support the business community
Dubai, UAE – February 24, 2010: Construction work on a new office building for the British Business Group, Dubai & Northern Emirates (BBG) began today with a ground-breaking ceremony at the British Embassy in Dubai.
The British Consul General in Dubai, Guy Warrington, and the Chairman of the BBG, Mark Beer formally broke ground for the new building which will be located, as was the old building, in the Embassy complex in Bur Dubai. The purpose-built premises will provide more office accommodation and modern facilities for the BBG’s executive team and administrative staff.
Chairman and CEO of the BBG, Mark Beer, said, “The new office will allow us to continue our 23 year history of promoting business between the UK and Dubai & the Northern Emirates, and supporting the community. The BBG is the largest and most active business group in the Gulf region with a growing list of more than 1600 members and an increasingly busy calendar of activity. The new building will help to facilitate the BBG’s growth and ensure that we can continue to expand our activities and support services.”
More than 50 representatives from the BBG, Young Arab Leaders, the British Embassy and UK Trade & Investment were on hand for today’s ground-breaking. Construction and fit-out of the new building is expected to be completed in April 2011.
Mr. Warrington said, “The British Embassy has housed the BBG for many years, and we look forward to the next era in its development. As the representative voice of British business, the BBG plays a vital role alongside the Embassy and the UK Trade & Investment office in promoting bilateral relations.”
The ground-breaking coincides with a busy start to the year for the BBG. In recent weeks, the BBG has hosted Britain’s First Secretary of State, Lord Mandelson, and the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Nick Anstee, as well as holding a lunch forum in association with Young Arab Leaders and hearing from Andrew Mitchell MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for International Development.
