With India and the UAE forging strategic ties across a spectrum of shared interests, this is an opportune time for key stakeholders from both nations to engage in strategic discussions and catalyse economic growth.

A major conference this week in Dubai will aim to strategically catalyse bilateral relations between the UAE and India.

The Economic Times India - UAE Strategic Conclave is being held on September 27 and 28 under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development.
    
Trade and commerce forms the backbone of historically strong bilateral relations, with India being UAE's top foreign trade partner. In 2015-16, India exported goods worth $30 billion to the UAE with heavy machinery, petroleum products, and food and dairy products being the main export commodities. Indian businesses have equally established a strong footprint in the UAE. As many as 4,365 Indian commercial companies were registered with the UAE Ministry of Economy, as of end-2016 and over 2.8 million Indians reside in the UAE, said a statement.
 
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark trip to the UAE in August 2015 and the recent return visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, served to further fortify bilateral ties between India and UAE, leading to a long-term and stable strategic partnership.

Commenting on the significance of the Conclave, Deepak Lamba, president, Times Strategic Solutions, said: “At The Economic Times, we have closely evaluated the full spectrum of relationships between India and UAE and we strongly feel that this association will act as a significant contributor to the economic progress of the region. Hence, we have designed this conclave to discuss the potential areas of investment, collaborations and ways to further improve the business environment.”

The conclave will be attended by Navdeep Suri,  Indian Ambassador to UAE; Suhail Mahmoud Al Ansari, executive director, Mubadala Healthcare; Capt. Mohamed Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports;  Dr Tayeb Kamali, chairman, Emirates Driving Company and former vice chancellor, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE; Harsh Mariwala, chairman, Marico; Gautam Singhania, MD, Raymond; and Rana Kapoor, founder and CEO, YES Bank and chairman, YES Global Institute, in addition to other doyens from diverse spheres.

The conclave will aim to identify potential areas of investment and collaborations between India-UAE, thus helping to drive landmark projects in the region.

The Conclave will focus on areas that should be tapped for growth. This includes defence, energy, security and maritime trade, among other sectors.

Another significant pillar of India-UAE ties that will be discussed is the geopolitical and economic impact of strong India-UAE relations on the Asian region. Given the current state of flux in West Asia, both countries can be critical drivers to maintain peace and stability in the region. The Conclave will also announce the launch of the second edition of the Economic Times Best Asian Healthcare Brands coffee table book in India. During the event, the leading healthcare brands from Asia, across various segments will be felicitated and featured in the coffee table book. – TradeArabia News Service