UAE, US business leaders discuss challenges at AmCham summit
abu dhabi — Over 200 leading business executives, entrepreneurs, academics, thought leaders and government officials participated in the ninth AmCham Annual Roundtable Summit to in Abu Dhabi discuss business opportunities and challenges in the capital.
The summit, hosted by AmCham Abu Dhabi Roundtables Committee chairman Brian Lott, began with a plenary session featuring Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; Barbara A. Leaf, US Ambassador to the UAE; John Defterios, emerging markets editor and anchor at CNN; and Sharief Fahmy, chairman of the AmCham Abu Dhabi board of directors.
During her keynote interview with Lott, Al Kaabi, former Minister for Federal National Council Affairs, discussed a wide range of issues including her role as the key link and facilitator between the Cabinet and Federal National Council, being an advocate for youth and female involvement and participation, and the UAE’s longterm goals and planning as it relates to its vision. The thought provoking and insightful interview was very timely given the UAE’s leadership recent two-day government offsite, where the long term strategy for the UAE was unveiled.
Regarding the creative sector, Al Kaabi noted: “For us, it has always been about changing the culture and enforcing that change so that we can have a sustainable creative sector, unlike the oil and trade sector. The creative sector will enrich what is going on in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, especially with having The Louvre opening soon and with the partnership of institutes such as New York University Abu Dhabi, that also assist us in shaping a sustainable sector.’’
Al Kaabi also discussed the important role of engaging youth.
“In my job in the ministry, one of the things that I look at is our social media. I look to see if our channels are being productive, if they are delivering a clear message, how can we make it better and how can we include the youth to participate.” —