By setting a target to support$3 billion worth of non-oil exports and re-exports, Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) has set a visionary strategy and growth plan aligned with the country's economic agenda based on the diversification objectives of the UAE Vision 2021, during the recently concluded ECI 2019 Kick-Off Meeting at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai, UAE. The event further highlighted ECI's goal to support UAE-based companies with over $1.1 billion in exposure and revolving credit limits in 2019. With this, ECI remains committed to its role of assisting UAE businesses which are aiming to enhance their presence regionally and globally. The ECI 2019 Kick-Off Meeting was attended by Engr. Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Export Development Corporation, and Board Member and Chairman of the Executive Committee at ECI; Massimo Falcioni, Chief Executive Officer at ECI; and senior officials of ECI; along with Mohammed bin Sulaiman, Senior Manager, Member Relations, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Imad Oubri, Business Development Expert, Investment Promotion Director, RAK Chamber of Commerce and industry; Khatija Haque, Head of MENA Research at Emirates NBD; Nasser Saidi, President of Nasser Saidi & Associates; Simon Eedle, Regional Head of Corporate and Investment Banking, MEA of Natixis; Jörg Thews, Lead Partner, FSO, Switzerland and Eric Lefebvre, Associate Partner, FSO, Switzerland from EY; Federica Pocek, Senior Relationship Manager, UAE and MENA Region of SACE, the Italian export credit company (CDP Group); Mourad Ali Mizouri, Manager, Business Development Department at The Islamic Corporation for Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC); Leroy Almeida, Senior Executive Officer of Markel International (Dubai); Olivier Placca, Deputy CEO of Tinubu Square; and Danish Shamsi, Sales Director of Fitch Solutions. The well-attended meeting highlighted the strategic partnerships that ECI has formed with key partners from government, Shariah-compliant and conventional trade credit insurance, Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), banking, professional and advisory services, technology as well as financial information services. During the event, ECI's government partners affirmed their support to help UAE companies by supporting them in the expansion of their businesses and finding solutions to the challenges they face. Leading economists and industry specialists delivered insightful presentations on the economic performance and outlook of the UAE and the wider Gulf region. Additionally, other key strategic partners presented solutions and services that will be extended to UAE companies through the collaboration with ECI. The event, while giving an overview on the economic forecasts and challenges of 2019, underscored ECI's solid strategy and plan for the year ahead. Being fully operational as the UAE Federal export credit company, ECI is equipped to offer solutions to secure the country's exports and support the growth of non-oil foreign trade. ECI has emphasized its commitment in playing a lead role in the country's move towards non-oil diversification by seeking not only to fuel the progress of UAE but also the export community, thereby contributing to a robust and sustainable national economy. — SG
