Date: Thursday 1st July
Time:8:30 LONDON (BST) 9:30 BRUSSELS (CEST) 11.30 DUBAI (GST) – 60 minutes
Dubai has transformed its business environment to become the preferred location for global investors and entrepreneurs shaping the future. Dubai’s economic ecosystem empowers businesses large and small to maximize profitable growth, forge lasting partnerships, and lead global markets with impactful innovation.
Dubai Government’s concerted efforts – including multiple aspects of future-ready governance, development of human capital, increasing connectedness, and fostering innovation – have positioned Dubai as the pre-eminent global location for fast-growth businesses that transcend geographical barriers.
Today, Dubai is the preferred global Foreign Direct Investment destination for more than 70 percent of Fortune 500 companies and new economy entrepreneurs alike. Explore opportunities for growth, partnership, and innovation in Dubai, the city of the future, the gateway to growth markets and the global business hub.
Topics:
- Doing Business in Dubai, Sector focus on Healthcare and Technology
- Overview of the legal landscape of the UAE and recent developments
- Brief Overview of UAE VAT Law
- Introduction on Economic Substance Regulations (ESR)
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Reporting
Welcome Speaker
Welcome from Qaisar Hijazin, Secretary General, Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
Qaisar Hijazin is the Secretary General of the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC), which is an accredited Member of the Union of Arab Chambers since 1978. Thanks to his 42-year experience in promoting trade and economic cooperation between Belgium, Luxembourg and Arab countries, Mr. Qaisar Hijazin has an in-depth knowledge of Arab business climate(s) and culture(s) combined to an extensive experience in advising companies on doing business with Arab countries.
The Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce plays an essential role in the reinforcement of economic relations between Belgium, Luxembourg, and Arab countries, and is indeed strongly supported by the Arab Diplomatic Corps accredited in Brussels as well as a trusted partner and recognized voice among local economic authorities. The ABLCC enjoys an established network of businessmen, diplomats, officials and partner organizations on all levels in the 24 countries they represent. Last but not least, its location in the very heart of Brussels, Capital of the European Union, is an additional trump card to reinforce its role as an intermediary with European Authorities.
Speakers:
Speaker 1 Ibrahim Ahli,
Director Investment Promotion Division, Dubai Investment Development Agency,
Dubai FDI, the foreign investment promotion agency in the Department of Economic Development, Government of Dubai
As a Director of Investment Promotion Division at Dubai FDI, Dubai FDI, the foreign investment promotion agency in the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, Ibrahim Ahli assists investors with their service requirements and supports companies looking to set up in Dubai or any of its free zones to serve local, regional and international markets.
Ibrahim has a solid background in destination marketing and customer relations, having worked in the travel & tourism industry for more than 12 years during which he has led various promotion campaigns for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. He started his career with the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in Dubai where he was Manager Overseas Promotions for 10 years. He has also led successful marketing and brand management initiatives over a period of six years as Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications in the Dubai Airport Free Zone and as Director of Marketing for the Dubai Flower Centre, a perishable goods transshipment hub.
Ibrahim steers the investor outreach and promotion efforts of Dubai FDI with his vast experience in attracting international business and supporting them to establish their operations in the United Arab Emirates in general and in Dubai specifically. His main focus in on identifying the best source markets for foreign direct investment (FDI) into Dubai and cementing the emirate’s position as the best investment destination in the Middle East. Ibrahim can be contacted directly at ibrahim.ahli@fdidubai.gov.ae
For further information on Dubai FDI please visit http://www.dubaifdi.gov.ae/en
Speaker 2: Zana Jablan Musa,
LLM, Director, Head of Onshore Team, Sovereign
Zana is a qualified lawyer, with a Master of Laws from the University of London and Masters in European Studies from the University of Bologna and she speaks native Bosnian (Croatian & Serbian), fluent English and conversational Spanish and German.
With over 13 years of business and legal experience, Zana advises both international and domestic corporate and individual clients, with an emphasis on corporate structuring and M&A in the Middle East. Zana further advises on all aspects of business registration and the licensing process, asset protection in the UAE, strategy and operations, the setting up of new structures and labour and immigration processes.
Speaker 3: Arun Gurung,
FCCA, Financial Controller – Middle East, Africa & Cyprus, Sovereign
Arun Gurung is an ACCA qualified Accountant, a member of the UAE Accountants and Auditors Association and an MBA graduate. He has more than 12 years’ experience in managing finance functions of various conglomerates and multinational companies operating in trading, distribution, consultancy and professional services industries.
He completed his education and gained extensive professional experience in the UK before moving to the UAE. Arun joined the Sovereign Group’s Dubai office in 2015 as Head of Finance for the group’s Middle East operations. He has been instrumental in the growth of Sovereign’s accounting services in the region by expanding the range of services being offered as well as extending the outsourcing services to companies registered in multiple onshore and offshore jurisdictions.
Along with his team, he manages a portfolio of clients ranging from startups to stock-exchange listed companies.
Moderator: Robbert Gorris
Senior Business Development Consultant Northern Europe, Sovereign
Robbert works with client companies to provide them with the market entry experience and strategy that they will need to set up in China successfully. He possesses a comprehensive knowledge of Chinese commerce that has been gained from over 10 years’ working closely with SMEs seeking to enter the China market. Before joining Sovereign China, Robbert was General Manager at the Benelux Chamber of Commerce (BenCham) in Beijing, a non-profit organisation representing the interests of companies from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in China.
