Remarks from the UAE Embassy National Newspaper Association Foundation Reception, March 17, 2010
Remarks by Bader Bin Saeed, Head of the Media Section:
It is an honor for the UAE Embassy to host the (embassy visit) for the 2010 National Newspapers Association’s Government Affairs Conference.
HE Omar Al Shamsi, deputy chief of mission of the United Arab Emirates Embassy would like to say few remarks on behalf of the Ambassador.
Remarks by HE Omar Al Shamsi:
I want to tell you a little about my country, the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE is an exciting country with countless opportunities.
The UAE is also a strong friend and ally of the United States.
We are the U.S.’s largest export market in the Middle East, and the 19th largest export market for the U.S. globally, ahead of Spain, Ireland, and Indonesia.
Last year, the UAE purchased more than $12 billion in U.S. goods, and more than 750 U.S. firms have a presence in our country, from Starbucks to ExxonMobil and Bechtel to Krispy Kreme. In fact, the UAE is linked to all 50 states through commerce.
Beyond these impressive statistics, there are a few other aspects of the UAE-U.S. bilateral relationship worth noting.
When it comes to Gulf security and the common challenges that we face in the broader Middle East, the UAE and the United States are steadfast allies. We work together to fight terrorism and extremism in order to promote peace and stability in the region.
Back on the economic front, the UAE’s approach to international investment has also facilitated a significant flow of capital into the United States, creating thousand of U.S. jobs in the process.
In order to help deliver world-class education, healthcare and other social services, the UAE partners with leading U.S. institutions.
For example:
- New York University is building a 2,000-student campus in Abu Dhabi, set to welcome its first class of students next fall.
- The UAE also partners with other leading U.S. universities, such as Harvard, MIT, Michigan State and the University of Washington.
- The Guggenheim and the Louvre are each building museums on Abu Dhabi’s “Saadiyat Island” cultural district.
- The Cleveland Clinic is developing a hospital in Abu Dhabi, and already manages and operates Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, a network of health care facilities in the UAE capital.
Beyond the bilateral cooperation and partnerships, here are a few other things that exemplify the UAE’s development is the progress of Emirati women.
Forty years ago, almost no girls went to school. Now, 70 percent of all graduates from UAE universities are women. And women make up 64 percent of our government workforce. Four women now serve in our federal Cabinet, and in October of last year, the first female judge was sworn in. Three women recently received their certification as fighter pilots in the UAE Air Force.
Finally, I want to mention how the UAE is transforming the development and delivery of media content in the region.
I just returned from the first Abu Dhabi Media Summit, which brought together leaders from the news, the technology and the entertainment industries to discuss trends that are transforming how people receive information and entertainment.
The UAE was the logical place to hold such an important Summit, given the explosive growth of my country’s media industry. For example, today Dubai Media City and TwoFour54 in Abu Dhabi are home to regional bureaus and production facilities for global media outlets such as CNN, the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, ABC, Fox News and Warner Brothers.
In addition, in 2008, the Abu Dhabi Media Company launched its first English-language newspaper, The National, to critical acclaim.
The National was born out of a vision that recognizes the key role that a free and professional press will play in the development of UAE society. The National has quickly established itself as the top English-language newspaper in the region.
I want to encourage you to visit the UAE, so you can experience the great warmth and spirit of Arab hospitality first-hand.