Entrepreneurs from China and UAE made a connection leading to a promising cooperative vision during a meeting in Abu Dhabi on Dec 11, 2012, one day before the China-GCC States Forum on Sustainable Development.

H.E. Saeed Al Dhaheri, vice-treasurer of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, delivered welcome remarks to start the gathering.

Entrepreneurs from China and UAE exchange views at a meeting in Abu Dhabi on Dec 11, 2012, one day before the China-GCC States Forum on Sustainable Development. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Wang Ke, representative of China NGO Network for International Exchange, hailed the meeting as a great event "for both sides to enhance mutual understanding, and we believe it will also lay a solid foundation for future cooperation."

"We sincerely hope entrepreneurs from both sides can fully and freely exchange views and put forward ideas and suggestions for win-win cooperation between China and the UAE," Wang said.

At the meeting, Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision was unveiled by Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp.

Chinese companies looked forward to participating in the vision, featuring a transformation to a more diversified economy by developing non-oil industries for infrastructure projects, tourism, logistics, transportation and financial services, which can mean opportunities for Chinese companies.

"We come here to look for new cooperating opportunities, exporting our equipment and technologies to the Gulf countries," said Zhao Wenlong, general manager of Metallurgy Business Unit of China National Heavy Machinery Corp.

"I have learned from the meeting that an economic transformation is happening in the country (UAE), which means opportunity for us," said Zhao. "The heavy machine manufacturing industry has developed well in China, our equipment and technologies are worthy of trust."

Zhao says his company may be able to find an opportunity to cooperate in machine manufacturing, energy and power station and infrastructure construction in UAE.

"I am ready to cooperate with Chinese companies," said Ghandi Mathbout, legal consultant at Bin Omair & Reed, a local consultation company. “We have benefited from the growing China-UAE relationship.”

For James Maccalium, a partner at Al Temimi & Co, which provides legal consultation services for more than 80 Chinese companies in UAE, said, "We are looking forward to guiding them in establishing themselves and doing business here, and we are very optimistic to help people who come today."

"The growth in trade between China and Gulf countries is continuing," said Maccalium, who added that industrialization in China and the Gulf region is sure to boost cooperation and international trade.