A delegation of business officials led by the UAE Embassy Trade and Commercial Office recently visited Seattle, Washington to raise awareness of the important economic relationship the UAE holds with the state of Washington. The trip was also meant to reinforce existing commercial ties and cultivate new ties with local companies that are seeking to do business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The delegation was led by Saud Al Nowais, UAE Embassy Commercial Counselor and Director of the UAE Trade & Commercial Office. Washington exported more than US$3.5 billion in goods to the UAE in 2008, more than any other US state. The Port of Seattle is the largest US port of trade with the UAE. Some of the Seattle area's largest and most reputable companies, such as Boeing's commercial airplane division, Microsoft, and Jones & Jones, a world-renowned landscape architecture and planning firm that is working with officials at the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, are conducting business in the UAE. The UAE Embassy delegation's visit to Seattle was coordinated with the Trade Development Alliance (TDA) of Greater Seattle and US-UAE Business Council. At an event for local business leaders, jointly hosted by the TDA and US-UAE Business Council, Al Nowais remarked on the economic transformation taking place in the UAE, which is also fueling the strong commercial ties with Washington. "As the UAE diversifies its economy into strategic sectors such as aerospace and alternative energy, trade and collaborative partnerships with US businesses are increasing at a rapid pace," said Al Nowais. "The Seattle area is a clear example. The UAE-based airlines are the largest purchasers of Boeing commercial aircraft, and the company is also working with Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala and the Masdar Institute on a number of aerospace projects, including a pilot program to develop biofuels that can be used by jet airplanes", he added. In addition to meetings with local business leaders, the UAE Embassy delegation met with officials from the University of Washington and a group of MBA candidates from the Foster School of Business who are planning to visit the UAE later this year. Through a partnership with the United Arab Emirates Academy, The University of Washington offers post-graduate Certificate Programs for Emirati students. While in Seattle, members of the UAE Embassy delegation also met with officials from the Port of Seattle and PATH, a global health organization, as well as local elected officials and state government representatives. The UAE Embassy officials were joined in Seattle by representatives from the Abu Dhabi Ports Company and Etihad Airways.
