British Chamber of Commerce Dubai Transition Q1 2024

Date Posted:Thu, 14th Dec 2023

Following a week's consultation period, the British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates (BBG) is marking a significant milestone in the history and future of the organisation with the official designation of Chamber of Commerce status. Endorsed by the Dubai Chamber and the British Chambers of Commerce, the group will be known as the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai with a gradual transition through Q1 2024.

Below is the letter that was shared to BBG Members and Stakeholders by Andrew Mortimer, Chair of the BBG on December 7th.

Dear BBG Members

I am writing to inform you about a significant milestone in the history and future of the British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates (BBG), one that is fully endorsed and supported by both the Dubai Chamber and the British Chambers of Commerce.Since 1997, the BBG has strived to represent and support the interests of British businesses operating in Dubai. Over these years, our group has become an invaluable platform for creating stronger trade relations between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates operating as a ‘British Chamber equivalent’ in the region. To further enhance our position and align ourselves more closely with global business practices, we have been given the requisite authority, both domestically and internationally, to rename ourselves as the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai.

This initiative is fully endorsed by Dubai Chamber, following our recent success of being awarded second place in the British Chambers of Commerce Best International Chamber of the Year. Following this accolade and due to our strong working relationship, Dubai Chamber has recognised the award as “a testament to the substantial and significant support you have consistently offered to British businesses in Dubai” and has granted the name change to British Chamber of Commerce Dubai. This name change only does not change our proposition and there will be absolute continuity in how we support members and stakeholders.

The change will align our group with the international norms and standards followed by other Chambers of Commerce worldwide. Additionally, the British Chambers of Commerce, the nationwide network of accredited chambers, fully supports this decision, recognising the potential for increased collaboration and synergy for British businesses in Dubai.

Whilst we do not foresee any opposition to taking this natural step, to ensure transparency and inclusivity, we are initiating a one-week consultation period, starting from today - 7th December to the 14th December, during which time all members are encouraged to air any substantive objections you may have, addressed to me directly at [email protected]

On behalf of the BBG Board and Business Team, we are confident that all of our members will support this name change, given the valuable endorsement received from both Dubai Chamber and the British Chambers of Commerce. In the event that no substantive objections are raised during the consultation period, the British Business Group will proceed with the name change to British Chamber of Dubai, effective from the first quarter of next year (Q1 2024).

We understand that you may have questions or require further clarification regarding this renaming opportunity. Therefore, we have attached a document containing FAQs that address the most common queries and provide additional information about the proposed name change.

We greatly value your membership and believe that this renaming initiative will further strengthen the BBG's position as a leading business association.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,