Dubai, UAE. July 26, 2017:  The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been named as a finalist for the Best Unconventional Project award in the 2017 World Chambers Competition.

 

The Chamber, set to present its nominated project at the 10th World Chambers Congress in Sydney this September, is the only chamber of commerce from the Middle East and North Africa region that has been shortlisted within this award category.

 

The project, the Dubai Innovation Index, was initially launched by Dubai Chamber in 2015 as an annual study that measures and compares innovation output in Dubai and 27 other global cities at the macroeconomic and microeconomic levels.

 

The award for Best Unconventional Project will recognise an exceptional and innovative project in an activity not typically associated with a chamber of commerce’s mission and objectives. 

 

Four other finalists were shortlisted in this category, namely the Chamber of Commerce of Guayaquil (Ecuador), the Chamber of Commerce of Pereira (Colombia), the Greater Des Moines Partnership (United States), and the Sao Paulo Chamber of Commerce (Brazil). 

 

“This nomination is a recognition of Dubai Chamber’s strong commitment to supporting the development of business in Dubai, as well as the ambitious vision of Dubai’s government to position the emirate as a global innovation hub,” said H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber.

 

Mr. Khalil Haddad, Director Strategy and Corporate Development, Dubai Chamber, will be presenting the Index to a panel of judges on September 20th, 2017, and the winners of the competition will be announced the following evening during the Congress Gala Dinner.

 

“Since its launch, the Dubai Innovation Index has served as a valuable and useful tool for companies to assess and benchmark their innovation practices and performance. Through the Index, the Chamber aims to increase the participation and contribution of Dubai’s private sector in the innovation efforts of Dubai, and ultimately enhance the competitiveness of the emirate’s business community,” Mr. Haddad explained.

 

The 10th World Chambers Congress will take place September 19th-21st in Sydney, Australia, with around 12,000 chambers of commerce from over 100 countries participating in the biennial conference and exhibition. 

 

Dubai Chamber is a Platinum Sponsor of the Congress, which will be held under the theme “Where Business Connects”. The premier event will put the spotlight on key trends and issues impacting chambers of commerce around the world, including global mobility, sustainability, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution,  while it will also examine the changing role that chambers are playing toward government and society.