Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf : Philippine Business Council – Abu Dhabi

Flying the flag of Filipino entrepreneurs in the capital is the Philippine Business Council of Abu Dhabi (PBC-AD), an organization composed of businessmen, entrepreneurs and professionals connected with local companies who share a common interest in developing local business, trade and investment between the Philippines and United Arab Emirates.

Formed in 2003, the council’s objectives include – to provide a forum for exchange of knowledge and resources beneficial to the common business interest of its members, to establish a strong relationship with government agencies – the Abu Dhabi  Chamber of Commerce, trade associations and the international business community with the purpose of developing bilateral trade, investment and tourism, to encourage Philippine companies and entrepreneurs to establish operations in the UAE, and to promote entrepreneurship amongst Filipinos in Abu Dhabi

With the favorable endorsement of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, PBC-AD was granted full membership by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) in March 2004. The Council has also received its commercial license to operate from the Abu Dhabi Municipality in order to implement its program and activities.

In furthering the council’s aspirations, the group holds events for Filipino entrepreneurs and professionals in the capital. Chairman Agnes Aquino-Briggs explains, “We have a monthly ‘Kapihan,’ a casual gathering where we exchange knowledge on issues related to the council’s objectives. During this event, we also invite resource speakers to give talks on relevant topics such as – setting up business in the UAE, labor and business law, etc. We also give an opportunity to individual and corporate members to share their success stories so everybody can learn from their experiences.”   She added, “We also hold a lively cocktail event called ‘BizzTalk’ where we invite members as well as officers of the Philippine Embassy and the DTI, as well as friends and potential members with the goal of promoting newly set-up businesses  to the Filipino community. Other social and business events are organized with the participation of corporate members to help promote, and connect them to local companies and the general market.”

The PBC-AD hopes to espouse even more meaningful projects in the future and to reach out to all the professional Filipino organizations in order to collaborate on projects for the continued empowerment of Filipinos in UAE.

Learn more about the PBC Abu Dhabi here – http://www.philippinebusiness.org/