The UAE Ministry of Economy is organizing the visit of a delegation of Emirati entrepreneurs to the US to give them the opportunity to learn about the latest policies and approaches related to entrepreneurship in the US.

The trip, arranged in collaboration with the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, begins tomorrow (October 24) and will last until November 1. It falls under the framework of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) supervised by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State.

The visit being organized with the theme of ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ also aims to introduce Emirati entrepreneurs to American society, and offers them scope to learn about the contributions of innovation, and the solutions and practices for supporting and developing the business environment.

The delegates will tour three US cities (New York, Detroit, and San Diego) and meet elite American entrepreneurs, businessmen and experts. They will visit several organizations, companies and think tanks involved in many focal areas in order to gain and share knowledge and expertise and to broaden their horizons in terms of skills and techniques used in these sectors.

Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy for Foreign Trade and Industry, said that the visit is of great importance due to the impact of enhancing cultural and educational exchange between the UAE and US communities.

He added that it will help establish strong professional ties between Emirati entrepreneurs and American institutions and civil society organizations as well as deepen shared perspectives with experts in sectors related to innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in the US. This, he explained, will stimulate even greater fruitful economic, trade and investment relations between the two sides.

Al Saleh added that the UAE continuously works towards developing national entrepreneurship and supporting SMEs for which it has developed legislations and incentives that support the entrepreneur’s projects and provide them with the best services.

This, he noted, is reflected positively in the country’s top ranking regionally and 19thposition globally under the Global Entrepreneurship Index2016, aside from again topping the regional and placing 22ndin the 2015 Doing Business Report. He pointed out the Ministry of Economy’s vital work in enriching this sector with best global experiences through various visits and activities such as a recent visit to Malaysia last May, and two more planned visits to India and Finland next month.

The Undersecretary clarified that during their US visit, the entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to increase their understanding of the links between entrepreneurial activity and free markets and economic growth. He said that participants will be briefed on the latest trends related to SMEs and entrepreneurship in the US.

He continued by saying that the entrepreneurs’ tour across the three US states will expand their knowledge and expertise in entrepreneurial thinking, basic business management skills and methods of attracting investors, as well as the best ways enhance the capabilities of SMEs.

The Ministry of Economy has recently held a preparatory meeting at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi to complete pre-departure discussions and arrangements. Participants were given complete details of the upcoming tour and advised on how to maximize the benefits of visiting the states of New York, Michigan, and California. – TradeArabia News Service