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Opening of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce’s New Premises
The Arab-British Chamber of Commerce officially opened its new premises at 43 Upper Grosvenor Street on the evening of Wednesday 24th May 2006 with a reception that also celebrated its 30th anniversary.
HRH The Duke of York, UK Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, attended as guest of honour and unveiled a plaque marking the occasion. HRH The Duke was joined by an international attendance of over 200 business people, members of the Arab Ambassadors in the UK, government officials and senior individuals involved in Arab-British trade and investment. Individual members of the chamber as well as representatives from its agent chambers of commerce around the UK were also present.
Welcoming the royal guest and all the attendees, Dr Mohammed Smadi, CEO and Secretary General of the Chamber, remarked that ‘we are pleased to be able to move into a new building, but today’s ceremony is about the beginning of a new phase. These premises will give us the room to put together a full package of events and fulfil our commitment to bring together business communities in the UK and those in the Arab states.”
HRH The Duke of York (left) and HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Nawaf Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
He announced “an ambitious programme for the coming year, with cultural events, lectures, and a major conference in 2007 that will consider economics issues and those pertaining to bilateral Anglo-Arab trade relations.”
“We strongly believe that today’s economic events represent a very exciting time both for Arab countries and the UK alike,” Dr Smadi stressed.
“The challenge for countries – big or small, rich or poor – is to be able to capture the positive growth of trade and investment for themselves. Entrepreneurs know that the ability to lead; the courage to change and the capacity to address transition are preconditions for keeping the benefits of these changes,” he said.
Sir Roger Tomkys (left) and HRH The Duke of York
“We, at the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, endeavour to keep those trends in bilateral trade of goods and services and investment moving up and increasing.
“Today we are not talking about a new building only, but rather about a new phase in our efforts to enhance economic relations between the UK and the Arab countries, built upon over thirty years of our activities in this area,” Dr Smadi concluded.
Dr. Mohammed Smadi (left) and HRH The Duke of York
In his address, A-BCC Chairman Sir Roger Tomkys expressed his “appreciation of the understanding and co-operation shown to the chamber by the Council of Arab ambassadors over a difficult period. I am very glad to see them so well represented today and I would particularly single out the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps His Excellency the Ambassador of Kuwait Khalid al Duwaisan for whose friendship I have long been grateful.
HRH The Duke of York
Echoing Dr Smadi, the chairman welcomed the presence of The Duke of York, “Your Royal Highness, it is a great honour that you have agreed in your capacity as Her Majesty's special representative for trade and investment to perform the official opening of a new building. May I now ask you to do so and to unveil the plaque which will record the ceremony.” Unveiling the plaque, The Duke of York’s words of encouragement for the future success of the Chamber in its new building were warmly received by the audience.
