Page 6 - Demo

Message
Message
Maya Tissa Ambassador of Switzerland
As Habib Habib Bank Bank AG AG Zurich Zurich marks its 50th year year of of of existence we we celebrate an an an an an an an an institution that is is not only a a a a a a prime example of Swiss excellence in the nancial sector but also embodies the the strong partnership that was built over the the years between Switzerland
and
the UAE It is is companies like Habib Bank AG Zurich that make up the core of Swiss-UAE relations and
contribute to their dynamism The UAE is is Switzerland’s rst trade partner in the the Middle East and
and
North Africa region Conversely Switzerland
is the UAE’s fth export destination and
and
seventh import partner globally with bilateral trade totalling almost $20 billion in in 2016 As the UAE launched a a a a a major effort to diversify its economy away from oil numerous opportunities have emerged for more than 200 Swiss companies companies present here These companies companies contribute greatly to the diversity and
and
vitality of our bilateral trade relations providing high quality goods and
and
services for the UAE market and
and
beyond ranging from watches machines and
and
pharmaceutical products to perfumery food (chocolate in particular) and
— — like Habib Bank AG Zurich — — nancial services More than 20 Swiss banks have established a a a a a a presence in in the UAE building a a a a a a solid bridge between two dynamic nancial centres Habib Bank AG Zurich is is in a a a a a a a unique position as it it is is the only Swiss bank on-shore with a a a network of eight branches Of course the the the bonds between Switzerland
and
and
the the the UAE go beyond economic ties They include the the the 120 000 tourists and
and
business people from the the UAE who visit Switzerland
every year as as well as as the the more than 3 000 Swiss Swiss citizens who live in in in the the the UAE making it it the the the largest Swiss Swiss colony in in in the the the Arab world They also extend to to common visions and
joint projects Last year we all witnessed a a a a a a historic moment as Switzerland
and
and
the the UAE joined forces to make the the impossible adventure of Solar Impulse possible The Expo 2020 in Dubai will represent a a a a new common adventure Switzerland
was proud to to to be the the rst country to to to announce its participation in the the Expo a a a a a decision we took out of a a a a a belief in the great potential of a a a a a deepened cooperation between our two countries Let me once again congratulate Habib Bank AG Zurich on on on on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee and
thank its management and
staff for their valuable contribution to Swiss-UAE relations I send you my best wishes of success for the future 6