• DMCC’s Executive Chairman and CEO hosts virtual briefing with UAE Ambassador to Colombia
• The briefing highlighted the UAE and Colombia’s bilateral trade ties and opportunities for strengthened collaboration

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, hosted a virtual briefing call today with His Excellency Salem Rashid Al Owais, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Colombia.

During the call, both leaders expressed their pride in the UAE government’s efficient response to contain the spread of COVID-19 and the range of measures and initiatives developed, rolled out and implemented across the country to safeguard public health. The pair also emphasised the unprecedented level of support being provided from the government and the private sector to businesses throughout this period to strengthen the nation’s economic resilience. Bin Sulayem took this opportunity to brief H.E. Al Owais on DMCC’s own strategy in this regard, including the recently launched Business Support Package. 

On the agenda was also a discussion around ways to further strengthen the existing ties between the UAE and Colombia. H.E. Al Owais, who recently met with Iván Duque Márquez, President of Colombia, highlighted that the relationship between the two countries has witnessed remarkable growth across several sectors as of late, including areas such as science and innovation. H.E. Al Owais also emphasised that President Duque Márquez is committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation with the UAE under the umbrella of a strategic “Plan 2030”. He also expressed the Government of Colombia’s eagerness to develop new cooperation channels with the UAE through the establishment of the UAE-Colombian Business Council, which would focus on mutually beneficial sectors such as promoting trade and investment. For his part, Bin Sulayem reiterated the range of opportunities available to Colombian businesses in Dubai. He emphasised that the coffee industry in particular would be able to benefit from the host of world-class services available through DMCC’s Coffee Centre.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, said: “As we continue to question what the recovery phase will look like, one thing is certain - collaboration and partnership are more important than ever before. During this phase, exploring and leveraging opportunities will bring us closer together and support our respective economies in mutually beneficial ways. I look forward to working more closely with H.E. Salem Rashid Al Owais and his team to strengthen the UAE’s trade ties with Colombia.”

H.E. Salem Rashid Al Owais, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Colombia, added: “We are seeing an increased level of cooperation across the world to tackle a situation that has transcended borders and affected us all. Organisations globally are showing tremendous solidarity and shouldering the responsibility alongside governments, and DMCC’s latest support and commercial measures are a testament to that. The vision, commitment and dedication of our wise leadership coupled with efforts of entities like DMCC will ensure our economy remains resilient and we emerge in a position of strength.”

DMCC is hosting a series of virtual briefings with Ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates across key markets to further strengthen bilateral relations, discuss ways to support ongoing trade ties and understand what businesses need at the moment in target markets.