Although people in Britain have
"an astounding affection for the
United Arab Emirates," there has
been a tendency, according to former
British Prime Minister Sir John Major, for
Britain "to see the UAE as an old friend,
but not to accept the dynamics of rapid
change" through which the Emirates in
general, and Abu Dhabi in particular, are
now passing. 
Speaking to Capital Letter during a visit
to Abu Dhabi in early May, Sir John said that
"when you have a long-standing and friendly
relationship, like that between Abu Dhabi
and the UK, you don't always realise the
way in which each country is changing."
His visit, part of a wider tour of the
Arabian Gulf, was designed, he said, to
allow him to meet local decision-makers to
gain an understanding of how things have
changed - and what options for the future
are being opened up by those changes.
Speaking after a lunch hosted by British
Ambassador Edward Oakden, Sir John
noted that, in the four years since his last
visit, there had been "quite extraordinary
physical changes" in Abu Dhabi. Praising
the quality of the capital's new buildings and
landscape, he said that while other countries
and cities, too, were engaged in a process
of rapid growth, Abu Dhabi had "maintained
its architectural attractiveness - something
that is quite rare." All too often, he added,
"the scramble for growth ignores the quality
of the growth."
In his capacity as an adviser to bankers
Credit Suisse, Sir John met with senior
financial and investment officials in Abu
Dhabi during his visit, and told Capital Letter
that he felt that there were "very dramatic
opportunities" for the further development
of ties between Britain and Abu Dhabi.
Among these, he singled out research
and development, cultural and educational
exchange, tourism and the normal growth of
commercial relations. There were also, he
said, substantial opportunities for investment
in Abu Dhabi's rapidly-developing
infrastructure, something that was a focus of
his own discussions during his visit.
In wide-ranging discussions over
lunch with a number of members of the
British business and government-related
community in Abu Dhabi, including BBG Chairman Peter Michelmore, Sir John
sought views on the development
taking place in the Emirate and on
ways in which UK plc could further
enhance its participation in the
process, saying that he would seek
to disseminate those views back in
Britain. Those involved at the Abu
Dhabi end, he said, should take every
possible chance to explain to visiting
British Ministers the extent of the
opportunities now available here.
Alliance between Chambers
of Commerce sealed
In a first for links between Abu Dhabi
and Britain, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and the North
East Chamber of Commerce have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding to promote
ties between their member organisations.
The deal was signed during a visit by
an NECC commercial delegation earlier
this year and is expected to create new
opportunities for firms from Britain's North
East to do business with potential partners
in Abu Dhabi. 
Based in Durham, and with
over 5,000 member companies,
the NECC has offices in
Northumberland, County
Durham, Tyne and Wear and
Tees Valley.
Speaking at the official signing
of the agreement in late March,
Mohammed Omar Abdullah,
director general of the Abu Dhabi
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, said that he hoped the
MoU would help to build the relationship
between Abu Dhabi and the North East.
"We are serious about it and serious
to take it forward. I hope this will also be
a model for other Chambers in the UK.
This is an important time for this type
of co-operation. With the development
happening in Abu Dhabi, you will be able
to contribute through your companies and
through your expertise. Through our joint
co-operation, we will both benefit and so will
our members."
In a statement issued after the signing of
the MoU, James Ramsbotham, the NECC
chief executive, commented: " Despite the
obvious differences, there are tremendous
similarities between our two regions.
North East England is a region built on a
heritage of coal that now has an expanding
economy based on a diverse mix of
businesses. Abu Dhabi's rapid growth came
from its vast oil assets and yet it is looking
to move to a more varied economy. Both
areas have similar sized populations and
equal numbers of businesses."
The NECC delegation was
accompanied by Durham County
Council's inward investment arm, County
Durham Development Company (CDDC),
which has been working for the past
year to encourage partnership with the
UAE to encourage Emirati businesses to
consider capital investment opportunities
in the county.
Stewart Watkins, CDDC managing
director, said: "CDDC has been working
extremely hard to build these relationships
and we are very pleased that NECC has
grasped the initiative to develop trade links
for businesses in the county." |
