Abu Dhabi, UAE, 11 February 2009: Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) last night hosted the first ever Abu Dhabi-Bavarian Aviation Business Delegation at the Emirates Palace, to showcase the Emirate’s growing aerospace and aviation sector and its stable and attractive economy for German aerospace companies. The event was also attended by HE Peter Brandes, German Ambassador to the UAE.

Delegation members visiting Abu Dhabi International Airport

The well attended event brought together more than 35 high-flying aviation professionals, including CEOs, Managing Directors, Board Members and Vice Presidents from more than 25 of the highest regarded German businesses and educational institutions. Yesterday morning, they visited the Abu Dhabi International Airport to familiarize themselves with its new developments.

In accordance with Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 and its vision to establish the Emirate as a hub for aviation, the trip sought to showcase the economic capability of Abu Dhabi and to promote government and investor relations.

Saeed Al Mulla, VP Business Park Development at ADAC, highlighted the large scale US $255 billion investments currently underway in Abu Dhabi across all sectors. He said: "Foreign trade and investment have increased more than 23 per cent over the past two years, as international organisations have committed to establishing operations in Abu Dhabi. "The Business and Logistics Park at Abu Dhabi International Airport will provide the state-of-the-art facilities required to attract international companies. In addition to good connectivity via air and land, and a one-stop-shop for investor related services, companies will gain all the benefits of operating in a Free Zone; 100 per cent corporate and income tax exemption, 100 per cent import and export duty exemption and 100 per cent foreign ownership."

Mr Randolf Rodenstock, Vice Chairman of the German-Arab Friendship Society (DAFG) and Head of the Delegation, said: "We are grateful to ADAC for their hospitality and for providing this opportunity to meet our aviation sector peers. The Bavarian aerospace cluster is an important contributor to the German economy employing 36,000 people and contributing US $10 billion through sales. "Through this trip we have had the opportunity to better understand the developments under way and planned at the two main airports in Abu Dhabi, and the greater vision to join the world leaders in aviation technology and innovation."

Zeyad Al Majed, Senior Project Advisor at ADAC, highlighted the steps planned for Al Ain to meet the specific needs of small to medium-sized aerospace manufacturing enterprises. Along with multi-modal transport, the Al Ain Logistics Park will provide competitively priced residential and commercial developments with long-term inflation-protected leases. Coupled with the zero tax environment, this will offer the most competitive cost base in the UAE allowing for sustainable long-term business activity.

Representatives from Mubadala Development Company (MDC), the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), and the Department of Planning and Economy also highlighted their activities to German delegates. In their presentations, German delegation members emphasised the great potential for strong UAE-German investment ties, paving the way forward for establishing a world-class aerospace hub in the Middle East region.

-ENDS-

About Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC):
Abu Dhabi Airports Company, ADAC, is a public joint-stock company wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Government. It was incorporated by Emiri Decree number 5, of March 4th, 2006, to spearhead the development of the Emirate's aviation infrastructure. ADAC has officially taken over the operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain international Airports, as of 28/09/2006. Under its mandate is the re-development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport, which includes the new midfield terminal – a facility that will offer a 20 million passenger per year operational capacity when its first phase opens in late 2011.

Press Office, ADAC – Abu Dhabi Airports Company 
P.O. Box:          94449, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
Telephone:      +971 2   505 3482
Fax:                 +971 2   575 8300
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E-mail:             achupeau@adac.ae
Website:          www.adac.ae 
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