The Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) and Dubai Chamber, the largest business organisation representing Dubai’s private sector, have come together to lay the foundations for a new Chamber-to-Chamber partnership between Scotland and Dubai during Expo 2020 Dubai.

Members from the first Scottish business delegation to Expo 2020 in Dubai, held discussions with H.E. Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber and Chair of ICC-World Chambers Federation.

Seeking to deepen the connections between the Scottish and Dubai Chambers of Commerce, the bilateral exchange committed to exploring a future strategic partnership agreement which would seek to boost global trade and business-led solutions, initially built around alignment with the Scottish Business Trade Missions taking place over the course of the Dubai Expo, which includes missions themed on Food and Drink, Energy & Renewables and Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Women in Business.

Commenting on the meeting, His Excellency, Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber said:

“Our interactions with Scottish Chambers of Commerce were very positive and encouraging and we identified several areas of synergy and opportunity that we can build on in the future. There is plenty of untapped trade and investment potential between our countries and we look forward to exploring such prospects through our cooperation.”

Commenting on the meeting, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Director & Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“It was an honour to meet with H.E. Hamad Buamim, the President and CEO of Dubai Chamber, to discuss strengthening the links between our two Chambers. This was a landmark Chamber to Chamber meeting that clearly demonstrates Scotland’s commitment to global trade and to forging more partnerships between Scotland, Dubai and the wider region, opening the door for businesses to access this rapidly growing market.

“We look forward to building on this new relationship and strengthening the business connections between Scotland and Dubai, as one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the world.”

Ivan McKee, Scotland’s Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, said:

“It is great to see the Scottish Chambers of Commerce flying the flag for Scotland internationally and to see more local Chambers involved in such missions.

“I am delighted to support them as they seek to continue to internationalise Scotland’s business landscape. Developing constructive and close working partnerships is key to this endeavour so I welcome their focus on initiating partnerships with the Dubai Chambers of Commerce. 

“Both Scotland and Dubai will benefit from such business partnerships and our respective countries have much to offer each other, particularly as we are all exploring how to build a net-zero future. I hope that this event will lead to long-lasting and fruitful working relationships which benefit both our countries’ business interests and needs.”