IBPC drives global business growth with impactful select USA event, strengthening India-UAE-US ties
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC Dubai) recently hosted a landmark event as part of its Business Connect Series, focusing on the opportunities offered by the U.S. market for Indian businesses.
In collaboration with the U.S. Consulate in Dubai, this event centred around the SelectUSA initiative, which aims to help foreign companies expand their operations in the U.S.
The event underscored the significant and growing economic relationship between India, the UAE, and the U.S., highlighting the mutual benefits of foreign direct investment (FDI) and cross-border partnerships.
Suresh Kumar, Chairman-Emeritus of IBPC Dubai, emphasized the strengthening ties between India, the U.S., and the UAE in his address.
"The relationship between India, the U.S., and the UAE has never been stronger. Once tariffs are settled, it presents a prime opportunity to forge even stronger connections, creating the right environment for businesses to thrive,' he said.
Patrick I. Tanimura, Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai, also offered insights into the strong commercial relationship between India and the U.S., noting, 'The positive relationship between Prime Ministers Modi and President Trump has paved the way for enhanced business exchanges. India's $40 billion investment in the U.S. has already created thousands of jobs, demonstrating the depth of this commercial partnership.'
The members – only event featured Fred W. Aziz, Principal Commercial Officer, who provided detailed insights into the SelectUSA initiative. SelectUSA, which has facilitated over $250 billion in verified investment, is dedicated to assisting foreign companies looking to enter the U.S. market or expand their operations within the country. Aziz highlighted the wide array of industries benefiting from SelectUSA, including manufacturing, logistics, energy, and construction.
Companies interested in exploring U.S. investment opportunities were introduced to SelectUSA's vast resources, including the SelectUSA Investor Guide and the program's comprehensive library of fact sheets and customized research, all available on the SelectUSA website. Attendees were also invited to participate in the SelectUSA Investment Summit scheduled for May 11-14, 2025, in National Harbor, Maryland. This premier event will gather over 2,500 business investors and 100+ economic development organizations, offering unparalleled networking and growth opportunities for foreign investors.
The IBPC Dubai's collaboration with the U.S. Consulate Dubai highlights the organization's ongoing commitment to fostering valuable connections for its members. This event not only provided key insights into the investment landscape but also presented a unique opportunity to help members of IBPC navigate the growing potential of the U.S. market.
"This event is a clear example of how IBPC Dubai continues to serve its members by providing timely, relevant opportunities that support their business expansion plans," said Dr. Sahitya Chaturvedi, Secretary General of IBPC Dubai. "Our members can gain direct access to key decision-makers, resources, and insights that will empower them to capitalize on U.S. market opportunities."
By hosting such an event, IBPC Dubai demonstrates its commitment to enriching the membership experience, helping to build stronger business networks, and encouraging more companies to join and benefit from the collaborative, resource-rich environment the Council offers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
11 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Renewed Race For Gulf-India Aviation Sector Trophy As Stakes Increase Further
By K Raveendran Strong signs of undercurrents are emerging in the aviation space between India and the Gulf. There is renewed tussle over landing rights — the coveted permissions that determine which airlines get to fly where, how often, and with how many seats. For years, this battleground has been tilted in favour of Gulf-based giants, particularly Emirates and later Etihad, both of which have entrenched themselves so deeply in the India-Gulf sector that they dominate passenger volumes, especially among the vast Indian expatriate population in the Gulf. But recent movements suggest that the terrain may be shifting again, albeit not necessarily in India's favour, raising concerns about whether past missteps are being repeated or even institutionalized. The first wave of this dominance came during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) years, a period that aviation experts and political observers often recall with unease. During this time, India's aviation rights — especially in the high-demand Gulf sector — were offered up with a generosity that baffled many. The most glaring beneficiary was Emirates, which capitalised on India's fragmented aviation policy and the aggressive diplomacy of Dubai government. The role of Praful Patel, then Union Civil Aviation Minister, and N. Chandrababu Naidu, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has often come under scrutiny for facilitating deals that disproportionately benefited Gulf carriers. The underlying implication, often whispered but never proven in courts, was that kickbacks were exchanged for each seat Emirates filled on its India routes — a suggestion that continues to fester in the collective memory of Indian aviation policy circles. At that time, Emirates enjoyed a distinct monopoly, owing largely to the fact that it was the sole UAE-based carrier of international standing. With Dubai's rise as a global aviation hub and Emirates' unmatched marketing muscle, the airline quickly scaled up its footprint in India, locking in prime time slots and lucrative routes with little resistance. In effect, Emirates became the default choice for millions of Indians flying to the Gulf and beyond, eclipsing the capacity and visibility of Indian carriers like Air India. This asymmetry didn't just result in a business setback for Indian aviation — it triggered a slow bleeding of India's aviation sovereignty. The profits, the passenger data, the traffic, and the global prestige of being a gateway carrier all accrued to Emirates, while Indian airlines floundered under the weight of policy paralysis and state apathy. Things became even more complicated when Etihad entered the fray. As Abu Dhabi's flagship carrier, Etihad's arrival introduced a new axis of influence in the India-Gulf aviation theatre. Where earlier it was just Emirates leveraging its ties with Indian authorities to expand its rights, now both Emirates and Etihad were competing not just with each other but also for the same slice of the Indian aviation pie. The diplomatic equation thus had to be recalibrated. No longer could Dubai's interests automatically translate into Emirates' gain. Abu Dhabi, backed by the UAE federal structure, began asserting its claim, demanding equitable treatment for Etihad. India, in turn, found itself in a quagmire. Granting more rights to one Gulf emirate risked offending the other. But instead of revisiting its entire bilateral framework or strengthening Indian carriers to hold their ground, Indian policymakers chose the path of least resistance: acquiescing to more requests from both sides. The result was that foreign carriers ended up with the lion's share of rights, while Indian carriers, with limited international ambitions and fleet capacity at the time, were left watching from the sidelines. Fast forward to today, and the script seems eerily familiar. Both Emirates and Etihad are once again lobbying for increased landing rights and additional seat allocations. This comes at a time when the dynamics of the aviation industry have evolved significantly. There is renewed focus on strategic aviation corridors, a post-pandemic surge in travel, and a stronger realisation globally that aviation is not just commerce — it is a soft power instrument. Yet despite all this, India appears to be on the verge of conceding even more ground. That this is happening without a thorough review of how previous concessions impacted national interests is particularly disheartening. A disturbing undertone to this situation is the re-emergence — or rather, the persistence — of the very individuals who were instrumental in the original giveaways. These actors, once thought to have exited the stage after presiding over what some call the 'Great Indian Aviation Surrender,' are now reappearing in various roles, emboldened by their earlier success and perhaps by the lack of accountability. The risk here is not just the erosion of market share but the institutionalization of a defeatist approach to aviation diplomacy, where India negotiates from a position of weakness rather than asserting its growing economic and geopolitical clout. However, the new player that adds an unexpected twist to this ongoing narrative is IndiGo. As India's largest airline by a considerable margin, IndiGo is no longer content with its domestic dominance. It wants in on the Gulf bonanza, and it is using its size, efficiency, and growing international aspirations to demand a bigger seat at the table. This changes the calculus considerably. For the first time in years, there's an Indian private player with both the appetite and the capacity to challenge Gulf airlines on their turf. IndiGo's entry into the fray has the potential to reshape the competitive landscape — provided, of course, the government aligns national policy with corporate ambition. To avoid repeating past mistakes, India must initiate a root-and-branch review of its bilateral air service agreements. The country needs a clear aviation doctrine — one that articulates when, how, and under what conditions foreign airlines may operate in India. This doctrine must prioritize Indian interests, encourage domestic capacity building, and align with broader national objectives. It must also be shielded from short-term political compulsions and the influence of lobbying networks that have historically undermined strategic policymaking. (IPA Service)
Gulf Today
16 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Pakistan 'ready for talks with India,' but not desperate, says foreign minister
Pakistan is "ready but not desperate" for talks with India, its foreign minister said on Wednesday, underlining the lack of a thaw in relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours following their worst military conflict in decades. Both sides used fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery last month in four days of clashes, their worst fighting in decades, before a ceasefire the US said it brokered on May 10. India has denied any third party role in the ceasefire. "Whenever they ask for a dialogue, at whatever level, we are ready but we are not desperate," Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told a news conference in Islamabad. The spark for the fighting was an April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. Dar said Pakistan wanted a comprehensive dialogue on a range of issues including water, whereas India wanted to focus only on terrorism. "That's not on. Nobody else is more serious than us. It takes two to tango," he said, referring to comments by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that the talks should only cover the issue of terrorism. The Indian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Dar's remarks. New Delhi has previously said the only matter left to discuss with Pakistan was the vacation of what India describes as Pakistani-held territory in Kashmir - a disputed Himalayan region that both nations claim in full but rule in part. Pakistan is keen to discuss water rights after India held "in abeyance" the Indus Waters Treaty following the April 22 attack. The treaty guarantees water for 80% of Pakistan's farms from three rivers that flow from India. Reuters
Int'l Cricket Council
18 hours ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Global Nominees of ICC Development Awards 2024 announced
The ICC is pleased to reveal the outstanding programmes and performances that have won regional honours in the 2024 edition of the ICC Development Awards. The ICC Development Awards were established in 2002 to celebrate the initiatives and innovative programmes leading the growth of the sport around the world, delivered by ICC Members in emerging nations. For the first time, the 2024 awards comprise seven categories after the introduction of the ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year award. After a year of exceptional innovation and growth, 24 ICC Members have been honoured as Regional Winners – ranging from leading participation in countries such as Bermuda and Sierra Leone to revolutionary social impact programmes in Spain and Qatar, also featuring some exceptional on-field performances in international competition. The Regional Winners will now be put forward as contenders to claim the Global Awards, determined by a specialist and independent panel of voters consisting of Indian cricket icon VVS Laxman, former West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree, former White Ferns wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin, Head of Marketing – Unilever International Nitin Agarwal and representatives from ICC partners, ICC Full Members, and the media, with the Global Winners set to be revealed on ICC channels once voting concludes. Speaking on the announcement of the Regional Winners of the ICC Development Awards, ICC Chairman, Mr. Jay Shah said: 'For the past 22 years, the ICC Development Awards have celebrated the successes of ICC Associate Members, and it is pleasing to see how much growth in innovation, creativity and inclusivity has taken place with each passing year. 'Cricket is a vehicle for change and the programmes and projects delivered both physically and digitally reflect the hard work of our passionate Members from around the world who work tirelessly to see the sport grow in their territories. 'The inclusion of a brand-new category in the ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year is another step in the right direction, proving that real growth is taking place globally. 'I would like to congratulate the regional winners on their success and wish them luck as we embark on the global voting process.' More details on each of the nominated entries will be available via the ICC website. ICC Development Awards 2025 Categories ICC Development Initiative of the Year – acknowledges the outstanding development initiative delivered by an Associate Member, either through a physical participation programme or a digitally delivered game development initiative during the year. ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year - acknowledges the outstanding female cricket focused initiative delivered by an Associate Member to promote the game, either through a physical participation programme or a digitally delivered game development initiative during the year. ICC Associate Member Men's Team Performance of the Year - acknowledges the outstanding men's on-field performance of the year by an Associate Member team in an ICC event or bilateral cricket. ICC Associate Member Women's Team Performance of the Year – acknowledges the outstanding women's on-field performance of the year by an Associate Member team in an ICC event or bilateral cricket. ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year – acknowledges the outstanding innovative use of digital platforms, campaigns or technology by an Associate Member to drive engagement with fans and the wider community during the year. ICC Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year - acknowledges the outstanding project where cricket is used as a vehicle for social change or development. Whether it be female empowerment, health, education, or community initiatives, the project will have used cricket as a platform to deliver and impact on wider social development issues during the year. ICC criiio Cricket Festival of the Year with Rexona - this award acknowledges an outstanding festival delivered by an ICC Associate Member that was part of the ICC criiio Cricket Festival pilot programme 2024 that has made a significant impact in promoting the women's game. The initiative should have successfully increased participation and helped create a legacy for the development of women's cricket within the country. ICC Development Initiative of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Cricket Namibia Americas Regional Winner – Brazilian Cricket Association Asia Regional Winner – Malaysian Cricket Association EAP Regional Winner – Persatuan Cricket Indonesia Europe Regional Winner – Hellenic Cricket Federation (Greece) ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Cricket Sierra Leone Americas Regional Winner – Brazilian Cricket Association Asia Regional Winner – Bhutan Cricket Council Board EAP Regional Winner – Vanuatu Cricket Association Europe Regional Winner – Cricket España ICC Associate Member Men's Performance of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Uganda Cricket Association Americas Regional Winner – USA Cricket Asia Regional Winner – Emirates Cricket Board EAP Regional Winner – Japan Cricket Association Europe Regional Winner – Guernsey Cricket ICC Associate Member Women's Performance of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Nigeria Cricket Federation Asia Regional Winner – Emirates Cricket Board EAP Regional Winner – Persatuan Cricket Indonesia Europe Regional Winner – Cricket Scotland ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Cricket Namibia Americas Regional Winner – Bermuda Cricket Board Asia Regional Winner – Cricket Association of Nepal EAP Regional Winner – Persatuan Cricket Indonesia Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Cricket Kenya Americas Regional Winner – Cricket Chile Asia Regional Winner – Qatar Cricket Association EAP Regional Winner – Persatuan Cricket Indonesia Europe Regional Winner – Cricket Switzerland ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year (Global Shortlist) Tanzania Cricket Association Cricket Association of Nepal Emirates Cricket Board Persatuan Cricket Indonesia The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation
