02 September 2016 — Philippine Consul General to Dubai Paul Raymund P. Cortes led the Philippine contingent during the launch of the ASEAN Business Council Alliance (ABCA) on August 31.

The event was also attended by the Consuls General of Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia and the by over 150 select members of Business Councils of the 5 ASEAN member states in Dubai.

This is the first formal ASEAN alliance in the UAE recognized by the Dubai Government.  ABCA is seen to push ASEAN products and services in Dubai.

Also joining the event were officers from the Dubai Expo 2020: Gillian Hamburger, Vice President Commercial (Speaker), Maha   Al argawi, Director Regional Engagement, Dr. Salwa Hammai, Senior Country Manager International Participants, Tala Al Ansari, Senior Country Manager International Participants, Nasser Fakhro, Manager Engagement.

Ms. Hamburger presented an overview of Expo 2020 including a detailed discussion on its Apprenticeship Portal, its SME Portal, and its Innovation Grants. An open forum followed the presentation.

Consul General Cortes stressed during his interviews with the media that ASEAN is a very important pillar in each of the foreign policy priorities of every ASEAN member country. 

He added that the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of 2015, which made the ASEAN region a single market and production base, is an opportunity for ASEAN to expand its economic footprint in the GCC and Africa. END