The International Chamber of Commerce - United Arab Emirates (ICC UAE) recently held a leadership roundtable dialogue to foster pro-business discussion with 10 country-focused business councils at the Dubai Chambers’ headquarters.

The event aims to raise awareness of the activities and benefits available through working in cooperation with the UAE Chapter of the ICC.

Nadia Abdul Aziz, Board Member and Chair of the Steering Committee of the ICC UAE Customs and Trade Facilitation Commission, chaired the meeting.

In her speech, Nadia Abdul Aziz encouraged representatives of business councils to benefit from the ICC’s global network spanning over 100 countries and 45 million members, while outlining the practical benefits of working with the ICC.

Further focused presentations were delivered to the assembled group by Dr. Hassan Arab, Chair of the ICC UAE Arbitration Commission, and Ahmad Lootah, Chair of the ICC UAE Commission on Banking.

Samir Shahid and Vinitha Bhatia, Vice Chairs of ICC UAE Customs and Trade Commission, elaborated on how ICC UAE can provide practical training and guidance to members, which will empower them to expand their international operations through efficiency gains in terms of logistics and international supply chain operations. The participants representing 10 business councils expressed their appreciation of the event and the wide range of services available from the ICC which were elaborated on collectively by the experts at the gathering.

Participants and the presenters expressed clear intentions for further cooperation and collaboration. The expectation is to expedite further follow up meetings to establish business facilitating objectives with specific value-added outcomes.

For his part, Hassan Al Hashemi, Secretary-General of ICC-UAE and Vice President of International Relations at Dubai Chamber of Commerce, described the meeting as an ideal opportunity for members of business councils to learn about the key benefits and services, as well as important developments within the global trade landscape. He added that the meeting established a solid foundation upon which ICC-UAE can build its relationship with various business councils in Dubai, which comprise business leaders from around the world who operate in a wide variety of economic sectors.

He also highlighted the crucial role that the ICC-UAE plays in promoting and facilitating international trade and added that Dubai Chambers works closely with the UAE Chapter to support the interests of businesses and remove trade barriers

Meanwhile, over 4,800 employee volunteers participated in Dubai Chamber of Commerce’s recently concluded “Give & Gain 2022” initiative.

Overall, volunteers dedicated 17,460 hours across projects benefitting more than 147,000 individuals, according to a statement on Friday. The month-long event is part of the Chamber’s ENGAGE Dubai corporate volunteering programme.

A total of 68 organisations, 42 corporate members and 26 community partners participated in 95 different volunteering activities.

More than 24,100 kilograms of humanitarian aid, including rice, stationery, and clothes, were donated, while 47,900 meals were given to those in need. More than 5,100 kilograms of e-waste and recyclable materials were collected, and more than 300 trees were planted.

Dr. Belaid Rettab, Senior Director of the Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector at Dubai Chamber of Commerce, noted that this year’s campaign witnessed a strong turnout from the business community in Dubai, where participants demonstrated a stronger interest and commitment among businesses to engage in corporate volunteering efforts. The annual volunteering initiative is an ideal platform for companies and their employees to implement and foster a culture of volunteerism within Dubai’s business community, he added.

Launched in 2008 by Dubai Chamber of Commerce’s Centre for Responsible Business, ENGAGE Dubai is a programme that brings together businesses and community organisations in Dubai to increase the quality and amount of employee community engagement in their local communities.

A total of 68 organisations, 42 corporate members and 26 community partners participated in 95 different volunteering activities. Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favourable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub. Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides an integrated system of smart and electronic services that cover all the requirements of the business community, enabling businesses to complete all their transactions remotely easily, easily and according to the highest international standards.

WAM