UAE commerce head says trade remains key

The global economy continues to focus on trade as the main engine of growth, and the United Arab Emirates needs to continue looking at ways to take advantage of it, the head of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UAE said recently.

Hassan Al-Hashemi, secretary general of the (ICC) UAE, spoke at a meeting of the UAE’s Commission on Customs and Trade Facilitation at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Members discussed strategy and approved the commission’s program of action for 2017.

Part of the meeting focused on the election of commission board members. Dubai Trade CEO Mahmood Al Bastaki was re-elected as chairman. Elected as vice-chairs were International Traders’ Chairman Ram Buxani, and Nadia Abdul Aziz, president of the National Association of Freight and Logistics.

Al Bastaki said the commission will look to organize more events and training sessions to keep its members informed of global trade issues.

The ICC-UAE was established in 2004 and represents the commercial, industrial and business enterprises in the country at a global level. It exists to promote the UAE to the world's business community.