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Dubai Unveils Plans to Establish New Country-Specific Business Councils

Dubai Chambers Chairman Abdul Aziz al-Ghurair at the Diplomatic Circle 2022. (WAM)
Dubai Chambers Chairman Abdul Aziz al-Ghurair at the Diplomatic Circle 2022. (WAM)
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Dubai Unveils Plans to Establish New Country-Specific Business Councils

Dubai Chambers Chairman Abdul Aziz al-Ghurair at the Diplomatic Circle 2022. (WAM)
Dubai Chambers Chairman Abdul Aziz al-Ghurair at the Diplomatic Circle 2022. (WAM)

The Dubai Chambers has developed plans to establish new country-specific business councils operating in Dubai and expand their roles to support ongoing efforts to boost Dubai's non-oil foreign trade, announced Chairman Abdul Aziz al-Ghurair.

Speaking at the Diplomatic Circle Dinner 2022 in Dubai, Ghurair called on 150 ambassadors, consul generals, and commercial attachés to cooperate to establish new business councils representing investors from their home countries that would provide the right platforms for businesses in the United Arab Emirates and abroad to connect, collaborate and build mutually beneficial partnerships.

"We are putting a new comprehensive framework into place that will restructure and expand the role of business councils in Dubai to boost its foreign trade and promote cross-border business opportunities for member companies," Ghurair said.

The councils will cover markets of strategic importance to Dubai, support expanding its presence across Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, and attract more companies and investments from these regions.

Ghurair encouraged existing business councils to leverage Dubai International Chamber's vast network of international offices to their benefit, operate more effectively, and provide their members access to attractive growth opportunities in the UAE and abroad.

He stressed that the goal is to form new business councils for countries not currently represented in the business councils system.

The councils would be concerned with developing relations, ties, and joint economic partnerships and upgrading them to meet Dubai's aspirations, goals, and strategic economic visions and the countries represented by these councils.

Ghurair informed participants about critical economic developments and several new initiatives and functions introduced by Dubai Chambers aligned with its new strategic priorities that aim to enhance the business environment and economic competitiveness in Dubai.

Addressing the event, Assistant Under-Secretary for International Trade Sector at the Ministry of Economy Juma al-Kait stressed that the UAE is building a modern economy as a global hub for trade and foreign investment in line with the government target of doubling the size of the economy from $381 billion to $816 billion by 2030.

He highlighted the importance of bilateral trade deals and comprehensive economic partnership agreements signed between the UAE and leading economies in accelerating trade, strengthening supply chains, creating investment opportunities, and boosting innovation.

"The UAE is ready - more than ever - to do business with the world and form mutually beneficial partnerships that promise a brighter, better future for all," Kait said as he called on business communities from around the world to capitalize on market opportunities emerging in the country.

The UAE is also attracting a new generation of foreign direct investment to accelerate industrial innovation ambitions.

"We are welcoming all forms of capital – technological and financial," said the official, identifying healthcare, education, agritech, food production, fintech, financial services, and advanced technologies as crucial target sectors for FDI.

He added that new residency rules applicable to golden and green visas and upgraded laws related to commercial companies, employment, and family-owned businesses would help ensure the UAE's sustainable economic growth.

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Aljadaan: Emerging Markets Account for 70% of Global Growth

Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat
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Aljadaan: Emerging Markets Account for 70% of Global Growth

Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan stressed Sunday that the world economy is going through a “profound transition,” saying emerging markets and developing economies now account for nearly 60 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in purchasing power terms and over 70 percent of global growth.

In his opening remarks at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the IMF in AlUla, the minister said these economies have become an increasingly important driver of global growth with their share of global economy more than doubling since 2010.

“Today, the 10 emerging economies in the G20 alone account for more than half of the world growth. Yet, they face a more complex and fragmented environment, elevated debt levels, slower trade growth and increasing exposure to geopolitical shocks.”

“Unfortunately, more than half of low income countries are either in or at the risk of debt distress. At the same time global trade growth has slowed at around half of what it was pre the pandemic,” Aljadaan added.

The Finance Minister stressed that the Saudi experience over the past decade has reinforced three lessons that may be relevant to the discussions at the two-day conference, which brings together a select group of ministers and central bank governors, leaders of international organizations, leading investors and academics.

“First, macroeconomic stability is not the enemy of growth. It is actually the foundation,” he said.

“Structural reforms deliver results only when institutions deliver. So there is no point of reforming ... if the institutions are unable to deliver,” he stated.

Finally, he said that “international cooperation matters more, not less, in a fragmented world.”

Business

Georgieva from AlUla: Growth Still Lacks Pre-pandemic Levels

Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Georgieva from AlUla: Growth Still Lacks Pre-pandemic Levels

Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Sunday that world growth still lacks pre-pandemic levels, expressing concern as she expected more shocks amid high spending and rising debt levels in many countries.

Georgieva spoke at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the IMF in AlUla.

The two-day conference brings together a select group of ministers and central bank governors, leaders of international organizations, leading investors and academics to deliberate on policies to global stability, prosperity, and multilateral collaboration.

Georgieva said that the conference was launched last year in recognition of the growing role of emerging market economies in a world of sweeping transformations.

“I came out of this gathering .... With a sense of hope for the pragmatic attitude and determination to pursue good policies and build strong institutions,” she said.

Georgieva stressed that “good policies pay off,” and said that growth rates across emerging economies reached four percent this year, exceeding by a large margin those of advanced economies that are around 1.5 percent.

Business

Saudi Arabia’s flynas, Syrian Civil Aviation Authority Partner to Launch 'flynas Syria'

The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)
The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)
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Saudi Arabia’s flynas, Syrian Civil Aviation Authority Partner to Launch 'flynas Syria'

The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)
The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)

Saudi budget carrier flynas has signed an agreement with the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport to establish a new commercial airline under the name "flynas Syria," with operations scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Saturday’s agreement comes within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Syria, as well as the strategic investment agreements between the two countries, coordinated with the Saudi Ministry of Investment and the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport.

The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards, meeting the highest safety and aviation security requirements. All licensing and operational procedures will be completed in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The carrier will be established as a joint venture, with 51% ownership held by the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport and 49% by flynas.

The new airline will operate flights to several destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. This expansion aims to bolster air traffic to and from Syria, enhance regional and international connectivity, and meet growing demand for air travel.

"This step is part of our commitment to supporting high-quality cross-border investments. The aviation sector is a key enabler of economic development, and the establishment of 'flynas Syria' serves as a model for constructive investment cooperation,” said Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih.

“This partnership enhances economic integration and market connectivity and supports development goals by advancing air transport infrastructure, ultimately serving the mutual interests of both nations and promoting regional economic stability,” he added.

President of the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport Omar Hosari also stated that the establishment of flynas Syria represents a strategic step within a comprehensive national vision aimed at rebuilding and developing Syria's civil aviation sector on modern economic and regulatory foundations.

“This will be achieved while balancing safety requirements, operational sustainability, investment stimulation, and passenger services. The partnership reflects the state's orientation toward smart cooperation models with trusted regional partners, ensuring the transfer of expertise, the development of national capabilities, and the enhancement of Syria's air connectivity with regional and international destinations, in line with global best practices in the air transport industry."

flynas Chairman Ayed Al-Jeaid stated that the company continues to pursue strategies aimed at growth and international expansion, describing the agreement as a historic milestone in the company's journey and a promising investment model in partnership with Syria.

flynas CEO Bander Al-mohanna said the step represents a qualitative leap in the company's strategy and financial performance, highlighting the transfer of the company's low-cost aviation experience to the Syrian market to support regional and international air connectivity.

flynas currently operates 23 weekly flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam to Damascus, including two daily direct flights from Riyadh, one daily flight from Jeddah, and two weekly flights from Dammam.

The airline made history on June 5, 2025, by adding the Syrian capital to its network, becoming the first Saudi carrier to resume scheduled flights to Damascus.