Dear Members and Friends of the German Business Council,

The relations between Germany and the United Arab Emirates are characterized by the quality of their strategic partnership which was signed in 2004. Both countries expressed the determination to expand cooperation in all areas, including economy, education and culture and to strengthen their political ties. Together with the know-how and technology provided by German companies, this builds the basis for today’s success story of our bilateral trade and investment.

The members of the German Business Council Dubai have played a pivotal role in the German contribution to the remarkable development the United Arab Emirates took since its foundation in 1971 – and continue to do so. The UAE have now become the most important market for German exports in the Arabic countries with yearly growth rates of lately 25 %.

Exhibitors at major events like the Dubai Airshow or trade fairs like the Big Five and Arab Health, plus official and private visitors, including a growing number of tourists in both of our countries, bear witness of the mutual attraction between Germany and the United Arab Emirates. High-ranking political and business delegations are heading in both directions, highlighted in February 2007 by the visit of the Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel in the UAE.

The political significance of the United Arab Emirates is growing as well. As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council the UAE has gained more weight in the region and attracts political interest on an international scale. Thus the exchanges between Germany and the UAE are intensifying in many aspects.

I am more than prepared to offer every support and assistance of the Embassy to the members of the German Business Council Dubai in their activities in the United Arab Emirates and in Germany. Promoting bilateral trade and investment is the common task of the German Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General in Dubai, the Delegate of the German Industry and Commerce and of the Federal Agency for Foreign Trade. Together with the German Business Council I very much look forward to further strengthening the economic and commercial relations between Germany and the United Arab Emirates.

Klaus-Peter Brandes
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany