23rd October 2015
The new headquarters of the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce (AICC) was officially opened yesterday (Thursday 22 October) by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD in the presence of the Board of Directors of the Chamber.
Located in a sensitively refurnished Georgian building at 34 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2, the new premises provides a central location for the AICC, which was set up 28 years ago to promote commercial, industrial, tourist and financial relations between Arab countries and Ireland.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Ahmad Younis, Secretary General of the AICC, said: “Our new headquarters will serve as a focal point for The Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce engagement activities, providing members with access to the Chamber’s complete depth of experience for all member organisations and individuals who are involved in, or have an interest in, commercial relationships between Ireland and the Arab world.
‘The expansion our Chamber shows our commitment to continuing to promote Irish export and services to the Arab world, and to show the importance of the Arab region to the Irish commerce.’
Speaking at the opening Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, TD said “Increasing our trade links has been a key measure of the Action Plan for Jobs. Over the past three years there have been 9 Government visits to the Gulf and we were delighted to welcome delegations to Ireland as these visits are a key mechanism in bringing together commercial opportunities for companies. I am delighted to be here today to open the new Headquarters of the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce. Over the past 28 years the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce has been fostering and developing links between Ireland and the Arab World. I look forward to continuing to develop our trading relationship within the region and wish the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce continued success.
The Chairman of AICC, Joe Geoghegan noted that the value of Irish exports to the Arab markets had grown from €256 million when the Chamber was set up in 1987 to an expected total of around €5 billion in 2015. “There is every reason to expect this growth to continue in the years ahead bearing in mind the import requirements of the Arab countries as they develop rapidly, and the growing ability of Irish companies to meet those requirements over many of the main growth sectors” he said. The Arab markets, he said, represent “one of the most important trading areas for Ireland outside of Europe and North America, and offer excellent opportunities for more Irish exporters to become involved in a serious way in the years ahead.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About The Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce
The Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce (AICC) www.aicc.ie, a non-profit organisation, was established in 1987. It promotes commercial, industrial, tourist and financial relations between Arab countries and the Republic of Ireland. The AICC was established under the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for the Arab Countries. The General Union founded in 1951 with 21 members representing the national chambers of commerce in 21 Arab states. The Head Office is located in Beirut www.gucciaac.org.lb. The board of the AICC has 12 Arab Directors who are nominated by the General Union and who represent the Arab countries, and 12 Irish Directors drawn from Chamber membership. Membership is open to all companies, organisations and individuals who are involved in, or have an interest in, commercial relationships between Ireland and the Arab world
For further information please contact:
Media -
Louise Delahunty
Delahunty Event Management
Tel: 353 (0) 86 815 8150
Email: louise@delahunty.ie
Arab – Irish Chamber
Ahmad Younis, Secretary General
Email: ahmad@aicc.ie
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