Blessed with huge natural resources and successful development models, the UAE and Kazakhstan have become key players in the world economy, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

Addressing the UAE-Kazakhstan Business Council, the Kazakh leader invited UAE business community to increase their investment in Kazakh sectors of industry, petrochemicals, minerals, oil and gas equipment, agriculture and infrastructure.

''The investment climate in our country is ready to welcome UAE investment,''he told the gathering which attended by Minister of Economy HE Sultan Al Mansouri.

He praised the role of the UAE companies in developing the sectors of oil and gas, real estate and infrastructure in his country.

He told UAE investors that his country holds the world's 8th largest oil reserves and the 15th in gas reserves. ''There is 31 million hectares of fertile lands ready for investment,''he added.

Al Mansouri said banks especially Islamic banks are ready to offer their rich banking experience to their Lazakh counterparts.

UAE FCCI managers and members discussed the reports related to the ramifications of the global financial crisis. The meeting which was held at the Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry reviewed the minutes of the meetings of the UAE FCCI chairman with the Ministers of Economy, Energy, Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank, and The Governor of the Securities Market Authority concerning the global financial crisis.

Obeid Ali Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the managers of the member chambers. He said that the Emirate of Ajman is pleased to host the first joined meeting for 2009 that is inaugurated in Ajman which is one of the most active commercial and industrial area that contribute towards the development of the society.

Abdullah Sultan Abdullah, General Secretary of the UAE FCCI, said that the meeting has approved the convention of the third UAE-Oman Business men Council meeting this month. The meeting also reviewed the ministry of Foreign Trade program of official visits, organizing FCCI delegation visits to Turkey, China and India, besides, approving the minutes of the third joint meeting 2008 that was held in Sharjah and following up its recommendations. The attendees approved organizing a UAE Business Day in Brussels, Belgium, and activating the UAE-Egyptian Business Men Council, hosting the Inventions, Commercial Agencies and Concession Forum and its accompanying exhibition and scheduling a time for the FCCI’s delegation visit to Poland.

Abdullah pointed out that the meeting touched upon the agreements and Memorandums of Understanding between the UAEFCCI and the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Turkmenistan, Vietnam, and the Singapore Business Council. They also approved the invitation to participate in the third session of the Arab-Chinese Business Men Conference, the Investment Forum of the Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum in Najetsho-China. The attendees also discussed the list of the UAE-German Joint Chamber and the alternative names proposed. The attendees reviewed the UAE FCCI closing financial accounts for 2008 and the Annual Report of 2008.

Abdullah said that the UAEFCCI program was not affected by the financial crisis and that the FCCI and the UAE in general are mobilizing all their potentials to continue to promote the UAE economy and commercial exchange between various countries in the world. He said that the UAE has a clear vision to open up new horizons in the world of business and commerce.

The three-day meeting from March 10 to 12 will see global leaders discussing the challenges for Trade Finance caused by the current global financial crisis

Dubai-UAE: UAE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR ICC – ICC UAE (the local Chapter of the International Chamber of Commerce having headquarters in Paris) represents the commercial, industrial and business enterprises in the country at a global level. Founded in 2004, the Chapter assists its members and other in the business community do trade and business in the international arena in accordance with world-class standards.

In line with its commitment to UAE business community, ICC UAE along with its partner, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry , is hosting an ICC Banking Commission Meeting entitled "2009 . Crossroads for Trade & Technology" between 10th and 12th March, 2009 at Dubai Chamber Auditorium. This high profile Banking Commission Meeting is sponsored by Mashreqbank psc., Dubai, and China Systems.

To be attended by local and global representatives from leading international trade and finance banks and related Organizations, this event will see experts putting the final touches to the Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees (URDG) and discussing the challenges for business, trade and finance caused by the global financial crisis currently engulfing the world.

Around 300 international Trade Finance representatives are expected to visit UAE for this prestigious event. This number is likely to soar given the phenomenal interest and positive response from International and local organizations within the UAE keeping in view the strategic position UAE holds amongst the comity of developed nations.

Dr. Ahmed Saif Belhasa, a well known UAE business personality who chairs the ICC UAE , said



Speaking from Paris, the importance of this Dubai Meeting is summarized by Mr. Guy Seban, Secretary General of the ICC,



Omar Bouhadiba, Head of Investment & Corporate Banking at Mashreqbank, the main sponsor of the ICC Meeting, said:



The Vice Chairman of China Systems Mr. Stefan Tryggvason ,commented that

UAE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR ICC – ICC UAE is pleased to announce its “One Day Workshop for International Trade Finance Practitioners” on 9th March, 2009 at the state-of-the-art Auditorium of Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai.

Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai having its head-quarters in Dubai and recognized as one of the major and successful UAE based banks is the key sponsor whereas Sharjah Islamic Bank, the Sharjah based Shari’a compliant bank with the reputation of continuous growth and success and EBSI-Electronic Business School International, Ireland, the School providing practical training, networking and support to export practitioners and bankers, are the co-sponsors of this high profile ICC UAE workshop.

This workshop will be facilitated by International and Local well-reputed and expert speakers like Mr. Gary Collyer, Mr. P. Mukundan (International Maritime Bureau, UK), Mr. Vincent O’Brien and Mr. Iqbal I. Karmally covering the wide spectrum topics related to Trade Financing i.e. (a) UCP 600 – Frequently Asked Questions; (b) Trade Finance and Maritime Fraud, (c) URR 725 and (d) Islamic Trade Finance Structures and is expected to be attended by International and Local Trade Finance Practitioners.

Registration for this workshop already started and is meeting good response.