Dear Member,

Welcome to this issue of Capital Letter and to our new logo. This year’s first edition looked forward to another dynamic year for the British Business Group, and the first six months have put us well on course. Our events have seen a record number of members, associates and their guests attending. Something for everyone, indeed. Two events, in particular, stand out: our Gala Dinner, at which we were addressed by HRH The Duke of York, and our lunch in May at which the guest speaker was Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham, the UK Minister for Trade and Investment.

I urge those who were not at the lunch to read the extracts of Digby’s speech in this edition. It reminds us that Britain is an open global player, thriving on international competition and doing a lot of things very well indeed, not only in the acknowledged case of services, but also in the manufacturing sectors. That speech was significant for its recognition on the part of the British government of the enormous importance to it, and to Britain, of our relationship with the UAE and Abu Dhabi.

At a time of some economic uncertainty for Western economies, I and other Group Committee Members continue wherever and whenever we can, here and in the UK, to promote the importance of the relationship between Britain and Abu Dhabi, emphasising both the enormous opportunities for business and investment, inward and outward, and the fact that we cannot take things for granted – a point well made in our previous issue by the UAE Foreign Minister, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. We have recently been supportive of initiatives to promote opportunities available to the UK’s skilled financial services sector and its regulatory expertise in this market. In all our activities, we are very grateful for the constant help and support of the British Ambassador, HE Edward Oakden CMG, and all the team at the British Embassy.

There are plans afoot, here and in the UK and on the part of all parties concerned, to further promote cultural links and the business opportunities which those links facilitate. Here, as well as in other fields, the BBGwill remain at the forefront of all initiatives of potential benefit to our growing number of members and associates. Please continue to encourage new members to join and do let us know if we can help you or your business in any way. Have a good summer. Capital Letter will be back in the autumn.

Peter Michelmore
Group Chairman,
British Business Group – Abu Dhabi