Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, welcomed Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Nikolai von Schoepff on Monday, October 28.
This is the first meeting between Al Habtoor and Von Schoepff. The Ambassador complimented Al Habtoor on his political and economic articles published in the UAE and regional media.
The head of the German Mission to the UAE was appointed Ambassador in September 2011. His previous position was Director of Nuclear Arms Control at the Foreign Office Berlin (2008 – 2011).
At the meeting the group discussed bilateral ties and potential business collaboration in Germany. Al Habtoor expressed interest in potential investment opportunities in Germany, specifically in the hospitality sector.
Al Habtoor said, “We have very strong commercial and economic ties with Germany. The UAE offers fertile ground for investment. I encourage German businesses to come to Dubai; it is the economic safe haven.”
There are more than one thousand German companies in the UAE. Germany accounts for the largest share of the European Union (EU) trade with Dubai (20 per cent).
After their meeting Al Habtoor hosted His Excellency at his Majlis for lunch. Also present were prominent figures from the UAE including Sultan Al Habtoor, President, Al Habtoor Motors; Dhahen Chahine, General Manager – Publishing, Dubai Media Incorporated; Ali Shahdoor, Editor-in-Chief (Executive) Al Bayan Newspaper and Sami Al Reyami, Editor in Chief, Emarat El Youm.