THE COUNCIL
In 1999, a group of Singaporean businessmen based in the Dubai got together and formed an informal group to assist and advise fellow Singaporeans and Singaporean companies doing business in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Since then, this group has grown in strength and in 2002, officially applied with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry to form what we know now as the Singapore Business Council.
Since its official launch in 2004 with 38 members, the Singapore Business Council has grown and now has more than 100 members. The Singapore Business council has its own Constitution and is managed by an elected Steering Committee. Under the Constitution, the objectives of the Council are:
- To promote policies, procedures and opportunities for Singaporean businessmen and professionals to develop business and/or professional activities in the UAE, Singapore and the Middle East.
- To provide the opportunity for Singaporean businessmen and professionals to meet on a regular basis and to act as a forum for the exchange of information related to current or expected business or professional opportunities.
- To promote trade and investment between Singapore, UAE and the Middle East.
- To provide support to delegations, prominent businessmen and officials visiting UAE and to compile information about any business and/or professional opportunities in UAE for the purposes of making it widely available to Singapore businessmen and professionals.
- To provide a link with organizations in Singapore and UAE dedicated to the development of international trade involving Singapore, UAE and the Middle East.
- To assist Singaporean companies, businessmen and professionals establishing or contemplating the establishment of a base in UAE and in particular to maintain close relationships with applicable local government authorities, Chambers of Commerce, Free Zone Authorities and Promotion Boards.
- To assist UAE/Middle East businessmen/professionals to establish relations with their Singaporean counterparts
In 2006, a group of enterprising Malay Muslim individuals got together and formed the Singapore Malay/Muslim Professionals-Entrepreneurs Group (SMMPEG). SMMPEG is affiliated to the Singapore Business Council.
Building on the hard work of the founding members, the Singapore Business Council today works closely with the Consulate-General of Singapore in Dubai and International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, to assist Middle Eastern and Singaporean companies to promote economic and social relationships. The Singapore Business Council also aims to be the bridge between Singapore and the United Arab Emirates as well as Singaporean and Middle Eastern companies that want to conduct commercial activities in either region.