U.A.E.-Germany commemorate 10 years of strategic partnership with Economic Strategy Conference

Abu Dhabi (WAM): In order to commemorate 10 years of their strategic partnership and the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce, AHK, an Economic Strategy Conference was convened Tuesday alongside AHK’s Annual General Meeting at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel in Abu Dhabi. Mohammed Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Shehhi, Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the U.A.E. Ministry of Economy, keynoted the conference. Other speakers included Eckhard Lubkemeier, Ambassador of Germany to U.A.E., Saeed Al Fahim, Chairman of the German Emirati Joint Council, AHK, Volker Treier, Deputy CEO of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, DIHK, in Berlin and Dr Peter Gopfrich, CEO of AHK, and Mohammed Omar Abdulla, Under-secretary of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, ADDED. The aim of the conference was to discuss how the existing relationship between Germany and U.A.E. can be further deepened and strengthened by proceeding to next levels such as production, which would be a major milestone, noted AHK, a bilateral membership organisation established in 2009 to promote and support the trade relations between Germany and U.A.E. The upcoming EXPO2020 in Dubai focuses on the themes of Innovation and Sustainability which offers German companies immense opportunities to transfer their renowned knowhow and expertise in these fields. Interesting panel discussions ensued on topics such as challenges and opportunities for German U.A.E. joint ventures; investments and cooperation leading to industrial cooperation beyond trade. Another focus point was the successful and acclaimed German Vocational Training and Further Education – A model for U.A.E. Vocational Training is the backbone of the German economy and behind the success of Germany’s famous ‘Mittelstand’ or SME. Initiatives are underway to introduce a similar model tailored to the needs of U.A.E. The event also saw the launch of the logo ‘Tadreeb Made in Germany’ (Training Made in Germany) where representatives of leading German companies introduced the various activities currently ongoing under this brand. The panel discussions were led and moderated by experts representing different industries from Airlines to Insurance to Investment Agencies. U.A.E. is Germany’s first and most important trade partner in the Arab region with bilateral trade between the two countries reaching EUR 10.74 billion in 2013 and a number of direct bilateral investments being concluded in the past few years, noted Al Shehhi in his keynote speech. Trade between the U.A.E. and Germany could reach 15 billion euros in the next few years an increase from the 10.7 billion euros of trade between both countries during 2013, according to Mohammed Al Shehhi, undersecretary for economic affairs at the Ministry of Economy. Al Shehhi further noted that a strong SME (small and medium sized enterprises) sector contributes to increasing capital flow, strengthen the economy's resistance to foreign shocks and crises and increase development rates. He called on SMEs of both U.A.E. and Germany to contribute to the improvement of the competitiveness of the two economies and increase investments in the future. AHK says around 1,000 German companies employing over 48,000 staff are currently operating in U.A.E. and contribute to the excellent business and trade relations between the two countries. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395270873374.html