UAE, France seek strategic cooperation

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Majid Saif Al Ghurair and Fives Group chairman Frederic Sanchez, flanked by Dubai Chamber president and CEO Hamad Buamim, Ministry of Economy for Economic Affairs underscretary Eng Mohammed Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi and State Secretary to the Ministry of Economy and Finance Benjamin Griveaux during a signing ceremony at the UAE-France Business Forum in Dubai on Thursday.

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 organised 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 the 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, blockchain and other technologies.
He 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.
Benjamin Griveaux, State Secretary to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said that the decision of French President Emmanuel Macron 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 Expo 2020 Dubai 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.
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, 'How to Nurture Innovation: Perspectives from UAE and France', saw the participation of Hisham Al Shirawi, second vice-chairman of the Dubai Chamber; Griveaux; 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, 'Smart Mobility: The Path to Emirati and French Sustainable Development', was led by Mohammed Al Muallem, senior vice-president and managing director of DP World, and CEO of Jafza; Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim Younes, CEO of the rail agency at the Roads and Transport Authority; Jean-Charles Decaux, co-CEO of JCDecaux; and Laurence Batlle, chairwoman of the executive board of RATP DEV.
Joining the third panel discussion on 'UAE and France Common Ambitions on Future Energies' were Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director of CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority; Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar; Jean Bernard Lévy, chairman and CEO of EDF; and Isabelle Kocher, CEO of Engie Group.
Twelve startups and SMEs from France joined the official delegation led by the French president. 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.
- business@khaleejtimes.com