The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ADCCI) called upon Finnish companies specialized in medical equipment and health services to enhance their investments in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In the course of an extensive meeting held with the Finnish Business Delegation, HE Omeir Al Dhaheri, ADCCI Board Member stressed that: “The healthcare and medical equipment industry’s sector is a key one underlined by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. It would provide considerable opportunities for investment in this sector in partnership with UAE companies and businesses operating in Abu Dhabi.”
“Ties of Finnish-UAE economic co-operation are continuously growing as qualitative advances have been made by figures of bilateral trade exchanges over the past decade. UAE imports from Finland reached nearly one billion dirhams in 2010, and out of this 246 million dirhams were Abu Dhabi’s share. It shows the excellent relationship between the two countries,” he said, noting that there are several Finnish companies operating in the UAE in general and in Abu Dhabi in particular and making use of our unique investment climate and business-attracting environment
The meeting was attended by HE Ilkka Pekka, Ambassador of Finland to the UAE, HE Mohamed Hilal Al Muhairi, ADCCI Director General, Mr. Mohamed Alneaimi, Executive Director of the ADCCI-based Communication & Business Sector, along with a number of CEOs and managers of companies and corporations working in Abu Dhabi.
Mr. Al Dhaheri introduced the Finnish business delegation to economic achievements made by Abu Dhabi and the massive economic growth achieved over the past few years, saying that: “The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has over past years made substantial economic progress, which is in the light of the emirate’s competent authorities’ keenness to create an investment-attracting environment for international companies through the availability of diverse investment benefits and incentives being offered to investors, not to mention a system of economic legislations ensuring the growth and flourishing of businesses”.
The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 has come to add a new dimension to advantages for which the emirate is noted since the vision concentrates upon the diversification of the economic base, the enhancement of investments, the availability of capital coupled with the adoption of economic principles and methodologies based upon knowledge and state-of-the-art technology in all targeted economic sectors, he pointed out, affirming that “The Abu Dhabi Emirate is in possession of assets that would make it a springboard for international companies to find their way into other countries of the region as the emirate is renowned for a strategic geographic location, modern infrastructures, a multitude of networks and types of means of transportation, easy access to regional and international markets, no to say the political stability being experienced by the UAE at large”.
In unison with the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, the private sector is a major axis of economic development as the emirate’s Government emphasizes on deepening the principles of public-private partnership (PPP) and does constantly care for providing the necessary support for the private sector’s projects; more by example than by words, the Government’s back-up to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and tax holidays and exemptions, Mr. Al Dhaheri stated.
“The Finnish delegation’s visit to Abu Dhabi, today, would open up new areas for mutual economic co-operation between the two countries, chiefly given that the emirate makes available many investment opportunities in such multiple business sectors as those of metals, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, tourism, financial services, together with plenty of opportunities open to direct investment or strategic partnerships between private businesses in both countries,” he said, explaining that Finland has diverse leading companies in the field of advanced technology in the sectors of telecommunications, renewable energy, medical equipment and other industries. Competent entities in Abu Dhabi pins great importance onto such sectors.
By the same token, Mr. Al Dhaheri voiced his hope that the forthcoming period would witness a marked increase in the figures of terms of trade between Abu Dhabi and the Republic of Finland besides with an increase in the number of Finnish companies operating in the emirate, particularly given that Abu Dhabi has a robust economy as the GDP (gross domestic product reached 620 billion dirhams late in 2010, in addition to the emirate’s keenness to back up a policy of international openness and encouraging foreign investments so as to make use of existing opportunities.
He placed emphasis on the interest by Abu Dhabi’s companies and investors in making investment in Finland and in identifying the most prominent investment opportunities available there plus incentives and benefits offered to companies, chiefly given that UAE investments, nowadays, are distributed out to a majority of countries in the world; and that UAE companies are always in pursuit of availing themselves of the entire opportunities existing in international markets.
For her own part, the Head of the Finnish Business Delegation, Dr. Raisa Valve said that: “UAE markets are viewed as important and essential ones in the region for several Finnish commodities and products,” affirming that the attention paid by Finnish companies operating in the field of medical equipment industry and healthcare services to enhance their presence and scale up their investments in the markets of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
The Finnish trade mission visited the Members Services’ Centre based in the ADCCI building where they were briefed upon services being rendered by the centre via offices of 28 public and private entities and organizations providing fast services in a highly professional environment and through a one-stop shop.
Mrs. Valve praised services and facilities being offered by the centre as to procedures, supporting the activities and business of companies and establishments operating in Abu Dhabi and backing up those desirous of working and investing in the emirate. Technical and legal advice is being given to such companies on how to set up projects and on official and legal procedures that should be followed in order to get these licences.