Once again, this edition of Capital Letter reflects the way in which the UK and UAE Governments continue to work together in a wide variety of fields and also shows the way in which our member companies are working, in partnership with Emiratis, to strengthen links between our two countries, here and back at home. The growth of the BBG, with membership having doubled in recent years, is an indication of the interest that exists in that expanding relationship.

Recent months have seen further high-profile visits from the UK, some reported in this issue, as well as our regular BBG events. Speakers have included the Chief Executive of Control Risks and Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the former reminding us of the important place which the UAE occupies in the wider region, and the latter of the important but often low-profile role played by many individual Britons in Abu Dhabi. Companies representing the UK-based Global Entrepreneurs Programme described our New Members Breakfast in June as their best-ever networking event. Over the same period, the BBG successfully concluded a pilot scheme to provide work-shadowing experience to Zayed University students. This is now being rolled out on a broader front to give all our members the opportunity to participate and a wider range of Emirati students the chance to learn something of the private sector.

The final quarter of 2009 will again be very busy. Besides high profile visitors, there are events like the Formula One Grand Prix, in which both British companies and drivers will be involved. In the UK, Abu Dhabi Week, beginning with an Investment Conference on 19th October, will showcase the Emirate and provide a great opportunity for British business to promote its excellence to an Emirati audience.

Here, the implementation of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 continues unabated with its attendant opportunities for British business. There is also ‘chatter’ that a revised companies law, and perhaps also a new industry law and an investment law, may shortly be introduced, significantly changing the business landscape, and further encouraging direct investment and participation in those opportunities.

Finally, we bid farewell to Gordon Brown, who has led the Embassy’s Commercial Section with such aplomb for so many years. I thank him for his help and support and look forward to working with his successor, Frances Moffatt.

I look forward to an exciting few months for Britain and Abu Dhabi and our ever-strengthening relationship.

Peter Michelmore,
Group Chairman