AmCham Abu Dhabi, AmCham Dubai, and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council co-hosted official business community welcome receptions this week in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai in honor of the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E., John Rakolta Jr.

Over 150 executives from leading American and Emirati companies gathered at each reception to welcome Ambassador Rakolta and his wife Terry to the U.A.E.

The receptions afforded members of the business community the opportunity to meet Ambassador Rakolta and introduce themselves and their companies.

In the process, Ambassador Rakolta saw the incredible diversity of the U.S. business community in the U.A.E. and the strength of bilateral partnerships with leading U.A.E. entities.

From L to R: Alison Dilworth, Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi; Liz Beneski, Executive Director, AmCham Abu Dhabi; Jay Huston, Chairman, AmCham Abu Dhabi; Ambassador John Rakolta, Jr., Ambassador, U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi; Cara Nazari, Managing Director, AmCham Dubai; Danny Sebright, President, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council; Thomas Bruns, Regional Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce

In a joint statement, AmCham Abu Dhabi, AmCham Dubai, and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council warmly welcomed Ambassador Rakolta to the U.A.E. and lauded his commitment to serve as a champion for the business community. They remarked, “Our members are very pleased to have Ambassador Rakolta join our efforts here in the U.A.E. to further strengthen the extremely important bilateral trade relationship between the U.S.A. and the U.A.E. His proven business track record and enthusiasm for helping incubate small-to-medium American enterprises here bodes well for future growth and sustainable long-term commercial growth. We look forward to working closely with him in the years ahead.”

In turn, Ambassador Rakolta thanked the three business councils and spoke of his eagerness to work with them and the broader business community to expand the bilateral commercial relationship. Ambassador Rakolta said, “The U.S. Mission in the U.A.E. enjoys a rewarding and lasting relationship with the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, AmCham Abu Dhabi and AmCham Dubai. With the support of these organizations, I am committed to broadening the bilateral commercial relationship between the U.S. and the U.A.E. I am delighted to meet with members of the business community who play an integral role in ensuring the continuity and strengthening of this relationship.”

Ambassador Rakolta was confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. in September 2019 following a long and successful career as Chairman and CEO of Walbridge, a family-owned construction company that has completed projects across the globe.

Over the last several decades, Ambassador Rakolta has also distinguished himself as a prominent civic and philanthropic leader in the greater Detroit, Michigan area.

Since his confirmation, Ambassador Rakolta has emphasized his desire to support U.S. businesses in the U.A.E. and further build on the strong bilateral trade and commercial relationship.

Total trade between the U.S. and U.A.E. has grown more than 40% over the past decade and currently stands at $24.5 billion.

Moreover, the U.A.E. has been the top export market for U.S. goods in the MENA region every year since 2009, with the U.S. currently exporting $19.5 billion to the U.A.E.