KDE-IC News

The third Emirates-Germany Economic Partnership Forum run from 09th - 11th of May 2006 in Munich. Also this year a delegation of the KDE Cooperation of Energology, with Adem Kapur, Founder of the science of Energology, Founder of the science of Octral Psychology and General Manager of the KDE, Oliver Busjahn, General Management Assistant of the KDE and Nicola Spiegl attended the Forum. In the course of her extended studies of intercultural management Ms Spiegl has published several articles about this topic and followed the invitation of the science of Energology to attend the EP-Forum in Munich.

Dialogue with Sheikha Lubna

The three-day high-class Economic Forum was opened by Her Highness Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy. After the meeting with Her Highness last year when Mr Kapur visited Abu Dhabi, we had once more the great honour to talk to Her Highness about an economic cooperation with the UAE.

Goals and topics of the Partnership Forum

The Economic Partnership Forum with its talks and exhibition offered the German economy comprehensive information about the possibilities for businesses, trade and investment in the UAE. Furthermore the Forum offered the chance for both partners to strengthen and advance their economic relations. Such forums lead to the formation of new joint ventures and businesses.

Besides the classical topics of Financial Services, IT and Telecommunication the forum provided talks about Health, Logistics, Energy resources, Tourism, Infrastructure, Construction, Engineering and Manufacturing Industry. In the regular question and answer sessions the Forum participants had the optimal opportunity to make new business contacts.

The exhibition witnessed the participation of various UAE government departments and leading companies from the private sectors, e.g. tourism, aviation, real estate, security and logistics. Among the estimated 120 exhibitors there were many real estate developers like Nakheel, famous for its projects “The Palm” and “The World”.

As in the past years the exhibition met big response among the audience which is not surprising because in the meantime the Emirates are a number one location for investment.

Speakers of the session concerning "Business Environment" (right to left): Dr Jürgen Friedrich (Delegate - German Industry and Commerce Office), H.H. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khaled Al Qasimi (Minister of Economy, UAE), Dr Joachim Würmeling (Secretary General – Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology), Prof Dr Dr h.c. mult Erich Greipl (President - Chamber of Industry and Commerce from Munich and Upper Bavaria), H.E. Salah Salem Bin Omair Al Shamsi (President - Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry), Dr Jörg Westphal (Chairman - German Emirates Business Council)

Advantages of economic cooperation in the UAE

• Political, economic and social stability
• Free trade zones and tax exemption concepts
• The trade volume between Germany and the UAE considerably increased in recent years: In 2004 the UAE removed Saudi-Arabia as the most important Arab trade partner. From 2004 up to 2005 the German exports to the UAE increased about 21%.
• Public / private partnership
• Industrial incentives (up to 100% ownership)
• Low customers duties
• Support of small and medium enterprises
• 2 billion consumers
• Hub for trade in the Middle East
• Gateway for trade with Africa, Asia and Europe

It is not surprising that in the meantime the Emirates are more than an insider tip for German companies: The economy in the Middle East is booming like no other.

Example of a current project: Dubai Logistics City more

First UAE-German business council meeting held

On the sidelines of the Economic Forum the first meeting of the UAE-German business council was held which was founded at the last Forum attended by the former chancellor Schröder and H.E. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Chairman of the Department of economy and planning in Abu Dhabi. Ways of developing the economic cooperation between Germany and the UAE were discussed and new horizons of investment were opened up. The topic of “Investment in Abu Dhabi” led the agenda. The participants at the meeting discussed methods of enhancing the economic cooperation and strengthening bilateral trade ties.

Reception of the Arab delegation at the „Kaisersaal” of the Munich Residence

On the occasion of the Emirates-Germany Economic Partnership Forum the Bavarian State Government invited to the reception of the Arab delegation, headed by H.H. Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy. After the welcoming speech of Mr Hans Spitzner, vice-minister of economic affairs, infrastructure, transport and technology, and of H.H. Sheikha Lubna, there was the possibility to make high-class business contacts with representatives of the governments and of economy. Also the KDE, represented by Mr Adem Kapur, Mr Oliver Busjahn and Ms Nicola Spiegl, attended the reception and strengthened their business contacts to the UAE.

The Arab Culture at the Forum

Unlike last year the ambiance at the Forum had an Arab touch and partially was able to show the Arab culture. This became apparent through Arab music in the exhibition hall and through the design of some exhibition stands.

(ns, ob)