BBG teams with Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

The British Business Group (BBG) and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding have announced a joint event to promote greater cultural awareness among Britons and other expatriates living and working in the U.A.E.

They will be teaming up next week on 15 September at the co-hosted Iftar event held at Al Mazza Ballroom at the Monarch Dubai.

The BBG and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) talks emerge from a long-standing dedication to community development at the BBG, and the Centre’s mission to "Open Doors, Open Minds".

"The Iftar with the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding is focused on cross-cultural interaction," said BBG Chairman Mark Beer. "The BBG welcomes this event, as we are dedicated to furthering ties beyond the business world between the UK and UAE."

With 1.1 million British tourists visiting the U.A.E. annually, and an active, growing expatriate community of 150,000 Britons in Dubai alone, a joint event between the BBG and SMCCU is timely and crucial to furthering mutual understanding between both cultures and promoting community cohesion, something in line with Dubai’s Strategic Plan.

"There is a need for Britons and other expatriates to learn about and understand the cultural dynamics of the UAE. Greater awareness will increase mutual respect between the groups, something that is necessary not only for strong business relationships, but to strengthen and solidify our community at large," Beer added.

Abdullah bin Essa Al Serkal Director of SMCCU commented that, "This is another step for The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding with our aims of enhancing the Centre's "Open Doors, Open Minds" program that enables us towards building bridges within the community of Dubai.

"These cross-cultural communications and business relationships are an essential part of the future of cosmopolitan city of Dubai and its residents. The centre and its U.A.E. National volunteers are honoured to promote further understanding and harmony at events such as the Iftar dinner in conjunction with BBG."

The Iftar event hosted by SMCCU and BBG falls in place with Dubai’s Strategic Plan for 2015 and its aims to preserve national identity while promoting cultural cohesion, ‘by raising cultural awareness through consistent, appealing and professional cultural content.’

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.

-Anya Leonard, Total Communications Dubai - also photo