Welcome to the New Year and to this latest issue of Capital Letter.

We are all now well aware of the challenges created by the global economic environment. Some of you may view the year ahead with a degree of trepidation. To all of you, let me say that for British business interests in Abu Dhabi the glass is more than half full.

The British focus on Abu Dhabi and the UAE is at an all time high degree of interest and clarity. Recent visits by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, have been complemented by a further visit by a delegation from the UK-UAE All Party Parliamentary Group, while the UK Government has signed an important agreement with Masdar. The Lord Mayor of London is also due to visit early this year, with other visitors attending the World Future Energy Summit in mid-January. All of this reflects an ever-increasing recognition on the part of the UK, its government and institutions of the importance of Abu Dhabi and the UAE as both a trading partner and ally.

That enthusiasm is particularly encouraging when looked at in the context of the excellence of British products and services and their suitability to this market. Many members will have heard H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the UAE’s Minister for Foreign Trade, in a speech in November to the British and other Business Groups, reported in this edition, speak highly both of British Business and the role of the BBG. All of this creates tremendous opportunities. In this respect, the British Business Group will continue to play its part.

The Group goes from strength to strength with a record number of over 300 members and associates. Events reflect the more visible aspects of what we do. We are also supporting initiatives in the financial services and higher education sectors and we hope to see a MOU signed shortly on the subject of education, training and qualifications. We are also establishing a process to enable our members to mentor UAE nationals in a sustainable way. We continue to receive the support of a growing number of Corporate Sponsors, to whom we are most grateful.

Finally, we are also keenly supportive of the British Community Education Initiative, recently launched by the British Chairman’s Foreword CONTENTS Chairman’s Foreword 1 A Unique Relationship 3 Partnership 6 Working with Masdar on 8 Renewable Energy British Education 10 on offer at EDUKEX Abu Dhabi to Host 12 Business Tourism Week Environment 14 A Revolution in Lighting 15 for Abu Dhabi Property 17 Dascam Joins Ultra 18 An Embassy Viewpoint 19 A Profound Mutual 20 CommitmentAmbassador, believing in the enormous importance to all communities of the availability of British education in Abu Dhabi and of the British community supporting the Initiative and being seen to do so.

I wish you and your businesses and institutions all the very best for 2009.

Peter Michelmore,
Group Chairman