Cyprus business council holds first AGM in Dubai to strengthen UAE

Business

Cyprus business council holds first AGM in Dubai to strengthen UAE–Cyprus economic ties

Cyprus Business Council (CBC) has held its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dubai, marking the formal transition of the newly established body from launch phase to full operations and signalling a new phase of economic cooperation between Cyprus and the UAE.

The meeting was convened under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and was attended by His Excellency George Papanastasiou, Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, and His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism.

Held on 26 November, the AGM brought together senior officials, business leaders, diplomats and members of the Cypriot professional community in the UAE. Attendees included Maha Al Gargawi of Dubai Chambers, Stavros Stavrou, President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Georgios Partasides from the Cyprus Trade Centre. The newly appointed CBC Board, representing the council’s initial 31 members, was also formally announced.

In his address, Minister Papanastasiou described the CBC as a strategic platform designed to convert strong bilateral relations into tangible private-sector partnerships, supporting sustainable growth, innovation and knowledge exchange. He said the council would help facilitate joint ventures and technology transfer between businesses in both countries.

Al Saleh highlighted the council’s role in reinforcing global economic partnerships and promoting bilateral investment, noting that Cyprus could serve as a strategic gateway for UAE companies seeking to expand into European markets.

During the AGM, members reviewed the council’s mandate, which includes advancing bilateral trade, supporting Cypriot companies entering the UAE market, encouraging UAE investment into Cyprus, and fostering collaboration across key sectors such as energy, maritime services, tourism, digital assets, green technologies, innovation and infrastructure.

Dubai Chambers reaffirmed its support for the initiative, noting that the CBC has become the latest addition to more than 60 country-specific business councils operating under the Dubai Chamber framework. The event concluded with the signing of formal documents, a networking session, and a guided visit to The Doers Festival at Dubai Digital Park.