UAE, France call for more cooperation
gult today | November 10, 2017- Government and business leaders from the UAE and France called for strategic cooperation between the two countries in the areas of innovation, mobility and sustainability, during the UAE-France Business Forum in Dubai on Thursday.
The event was organized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the French Embassy in the UAE, Business France, and the French Business Council in Dubai.
In his welcome remarks, Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber, spoke about the strong trade and investment ties that the UAE and France share, and noted that there is plenty of scope to expand collaboration to new sectors and areas such as smart city solutions, sciences and healthcare, block chain and other innovative technologies.
Dubai Chamber’s President and CEO stressed on the importance of the Forum as an innovative platform for new partnerships between French and UAE businesses, adding that the event supports the aims of both countries to diversify their economies and develop capabilities in new industries.
Giving his opening remarks, Benjamin Griveaux, State Secretary to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said that the decision of Emmanuel Macron, President of France, to visit the UAE on his first mission to the Middle East is not a coincidence, and reflects the strong relations between the two countries.
Griveaux noted that the forum provided an ideal opportunity for the UAE and France to celebrate their partnership and strengthen bilateral relations in the future, especially with Dubai Expo 2020 around the corner. He pointed out that mobility-focused French companies have been very active in the UAE, adding that a number of them are developing Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the biggest airport in the world.
Dubai Chamber signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Paris Île-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the sidelines of the event. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation and coordination in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation and economic exchange, particularly in the sectors of transport, services, industry, innovation, sustainable development, food industries, and urbanization.
The MoU also called for the formation of an executive committee to coordinate business visits, in addition to academic exchange programs for students and teachers at universities in France and Dubai.
A second MoU was signed between Dubai Chamber and Medef International to facilitate economic dialogue between business communities in the UAE and France, with the aim of promoting cooperation and creating mutual benefits.
Four other MoUs were signed during the Forum between DP World (UAE) and Akuo & Siraj (France); DIFC (UAE) and Paris EUROPLACE (France); Masdar and DEWA (UAE) and EDF (France), in addition to an MoU signed between DEWA and EDF.
Twelve start-ups and SMEs from France joined the official delegation led by the French President which included Arts Energy, Apix Analytics, Mobilier Turrini, David Lange, Entech, Gaussin, Histovery, Okeenea, Steam France, Sterela, Tecofi, Xooloo, and Yellow Korner.
The event also involved the participation of La French Tech, a movement for and by entrepreneurs backed by the French Government.
Members of the French Tech Hub Dubai also participated in the Forum and shared their views on cooperation between the UAE and France on nurturing innovation. French Tech Hub Dubai UAE gathered more than 370 people, from around 50 companies
Three panel discussions were held during the event which focused on the three sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, where industry experts shared knowledge and insights, and discussed prospects for future cooperation in these areas between UAE and French businesses.
The first panel discussion entitled “How to Nurture Innovation: Perspectives from UAE and France”, saw the participation of H.E. Hisham Al Shirawi, 2nd Vice Chairman of Dubai Chamber; H.E. Benjamin Griveaux, State Secretary to the Ministry of Economy and Finance; Dr. Noah Raford, Chief Operating Officer and Futurist in Chief at the Dubai Future foundation; and Idriss Al Rifai, CEO and Founder of Fetchr.
The second panel discussion, entitled “Smart Mobility: The Path to Emirati and French Sustainable Development”, was led by H.E. Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of DP World, and CEO of JAFZA; Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim Younes, CEO, Rail Agency, RTA; Jean-Charles Decaux, Co-Chief Executive Officer, JCDecaux; Laurence Batlle, Chairwoman, Executive Board, RATP DEV.
Al Muallem highlighted the importance of urban planning as a factor in enhancing competitiveness. He noted that JAFZA receives 80,000 cars daily and more than 6,000 trucks a day, which requires proper planning to facilitate mobility within the free zone.