Over 7000 new companies join Dubai Chamber in H1 2013

As part of its new strategy to promote Dubai as a global business hub to foreign investors and to open up promising markets of the world for its members, Dubai Chamber inaugurated its second overseas representative office in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. This follows the launch of its first overseas office in Azerbaijan and is part of plans to open around 20 representative offices in key emerging markets. In the first half of this year, Dubai Chamber organised trade missions to the Commonwealth of Independent States, visiting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to discuss investment opportunities in several promising sectors. Each mission included more than 20 businessmen from various industry sectors. -- Major successful events hosted. In May, Dubai Chamber organised the Africa Global Business Forum 2013 - a major success with the participation of 4,460 global decision-makers and business leaders as well as over 40 African ministers, who discussed enhanced cooperation and joint investment ties over the two-day event. The highlight of the event was the attendance of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his decision to make this an annual event as the forum successfully served as a platform for Emirati and African businesses to network and exchange experiences. Meanwhile, Dubai Chamber , in cooperation with the Private Office of H.H. Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, launched Tejar Dubai, a entrepreneur development programme that aims to help young Emiratis turn their business ideas into realities. In order to consolidate Dubai's position as a global business hub and in line with a new decree issued late last year empowering Dubai Chamber to attract global non-profit business organisations to the emirate, Dubai Chamber , in partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) launched the first ICC Regional Banking Commission Middle East and North Africa (MENA), a chapter of ICC's influential rule-making body for the banking industry. Dubai Chamber also hosted the regional launch of the ICC Uniform Rules for Bank Payment Obligation (URBPO), which is regarded as electronic letters of credit and an alternative means of settlement in international trade. The new rules will not only support the emirate's banking sector but will also go some way towards sealing its status as the region's leading banking and financial hub. Keeping up-to-date with online developments, Dubai Chamber unveiled its redesigned website (www.dubaichamber.com), which is more user-friendly, easier to navigate, and updated regularly with Dubai Chamber news, events and business-related information for the benefit of the business community. Meanwhile, as part of its efforts to mainstream CSR and sustainability in Dubai's business community, Dubai Chamber 's Centre for Responsible Business launched the Sustainability Network Task Groups for 2013, under which the Network's 50 national and international members collaborate on various initiatives, including; Sustainability Communication, Social Entrepreneurship, Waste Management and Resource Efficiency, Diversity, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainable Supply Chain, Health and Safety Project, Encouraging Sustainability practices amongst SMEs, Sustainability Reporting and Capacity Building for NGOs. -- Private sector brought face-to-face with Sheikha Lubna Dubai Chamber continued its commitment to strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors through its first Talk Business at Breakfast networking meeting of 2013. This brought the business community face-to-face with Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, who was the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, to discuss important UAE laws, benefits and challenges of foreign trade and FTAs. For its efforts to reduce energy waste, provide a more environmentally-friendly work environment and encourage ethical and responsible business practices, Dubai Chamber won the Best CSR Project in the World Chambers Competition on the concluding day of the 8th World Chambers Congress in the Qatari capital Doha, bringing in international recognition for the organisation. Maintaining its lead in the Dubai Government Excellence Program, Dubai Chamber won first place in the Best Result in Customer Satisfaction award for the fourth year in a row, which is a clear indication of Dubai Chamber 's innovative services and outstanding customer care. Dubai Chamber also organised the International Conference for the launch of the 7th cycle of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award 2013, which focuses on honouring business excellence in the country. Preparations are now underway for hosting the prestigious award ceremony in the second half of this year.