British Business Group and Young Arab Leaders sign strategic Mou

The British Business Group in Dubai and the Northern Emirates (BBG) and Young Arab Leaders’ UAE Chapter (YAL – UAE) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner in developing promising leadership talent in the Arab world.

While plans for collaboration between the two parties had been in development for sometime, the MoU was formally endorsed yesterday during the BBG’s Iftar event held in the Al Mazza Ballroom at The Monarch Dubai.

The BBG’s co-hosted Iftar event with the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) conveyed the need for cross-cultural understanding and community cohesion. YAL – UAE’s presence at the event and MoU adoption underscored the further commitment by British and Arab leaders to the continuing success in the UAE and the region at large.

"The alliance with Young Arab Leaders UAE is one of a shared vision and a forum for growth," said BBG Chairman Mark Beer. "This partnership cements our dedication to maintaining strong links between the UK and UAE in terms of trade, cultural understanding, leadership and community building."

"The BBG is a committed, active organisation in the UAE, and over the last two decades we’ve contributed to the development of business leadership and strong trade. Young Arab Leaders represents the future, comprising the leaders of today and tomorrow that will take the UAE and the region to greater heights.

"Our collaboration facilitates a sharing of knowledge, contacts, and advice that will benefit all members and groups in the UAE community," Beer continued.

Sultan Saud Al-Qassemi, Chairman of YAL – UAE, said, "The Young Arab Leaders organisation has been established in order to empower the youth of the Arab world. YAL - UAE promotes opportunities for enrichment of young Arabs, as we’ve participated in several entrepreneurial activities such as the Arab Business Challenge, as well as organised internship activities for young Arabs in the very best firms in the Middle East and around the world."

"We are equally committed to fostering dialogue between Arabs and the greater international community. It is in this spirit that the United Arab Emirates chapter of YAL and the British Business Group in Dubai and the Northern Emirates have signed a MoU in order to synergise their network and allow for closer interaction of the two communities in the UAE," Al-Qassemi added.

YAL is an independent, not-for-profit organization, founded in 2004 at the World Economic Forum in The Dead Sea under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. YAL’s mission is to bring global opportunities and worldview to the youth of our Arab world and take forth the region’s exceptional human capital to broaden their horizon and make them global leaders in their chosen fields.

The British Business Group was set up in 1987 to encourage the development of British business in the UAE and to strengthen ties between the UK and the Emirates. It undertakes a wide range of activities from communicating with decision makers and testing British goods to sharing best business practice and arranging networking events for its members.

Companies or individuals interested in membership should visit www.britbiz-uae.com  for more information.

- Lindsay Johnston, Total Communications Dubai - also photo