The completion of the $60 million seven-storey development – The German Centre – next year is expected to see the further strengthening of relations between the two traditional trading countries of Germany and the UAE, and encourage the relocation of existing major German companies and government agencies under one roof.

In addition, the facility coming up on Dubai’s Mina Road, is also expected to provide comprehensive support to German companies seeking to set up a base in Dubai for the first time as they stand to benefit from referrals, advice and a wide range of assistance to help them quickly establish themselves in this emerging market.
“The centre will create an integrated business environment for a whole spectrum of businesses as well as shops and a boutique hotel,” says owner of the development Sheikh Rakadh bin Salem bin Rakadh Al Ameri.
Says Sheikh Rakadh: “Our tenants will benefit from being part of a network of firms from different business sectors, coming together under one roof to profit from synergies in acquisition of customers, and support activities.”
The German Centre Dubai is developed in close cooperation with the German Industry and Commerce Office (AHK) in Dubai.
Due for completion in mid-2005, the centre has been designed by German architect Lucas Scheid and features 12,000 sq m of rentable office space, serviced offices, conference and event facilities, a state-of-the-art business centre, as well as a ground floor lobby with restaurant, shops and showroom, rooftop garden, and a luxury 60 room boutique hotel.
AHK has been involved from the inception of the project, participating at all stages from concept through execution, and tailoring the German Centre Dubai to suit the specific needs of German businesses and German staff in the Middle East.
Says Dr Juergen Friedrich, an official of AHK in Dubai: “According to recent trade statistics, the UAE is the most important export market for German products and services in the Middle East, while Dubai is the perfect hub from which to gain access to a market of 1.5 billion consumers.”
Representing the Federation of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce, AHK is authorised and supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour to promote bilateral trade between Germany and the UAE, and is an invaluable resource for German business in the UAE. The German Centre Dubai will join Singapore, Shanghai and Mexico City in a worldwide network of similar facilities.
Dr Heribert Wiedenhues, senior member of the board of the Construction Equipment and Building Material Machinery Association within VDMA, the German Engineering Federation, also highlighted the growing importance of the Middle East market for European manufacturers during his recent visit to the UAE in conjunction with the bauma construction fair, which will be held this month in Munich, Germany.
Dr Wiedenhues considers the UAE to be a construction market with potential. In 2002 construction equipment and building material machinery worth 75 million euros ($91.7 million) was exported from Germany to the UAE. Compared to the same period in 2001, this meant an increase by 42 per cent.
He stated that business ties between the UAE and Germany had always been close and he pledged to give all the support to consolidate and to further develop business relations between the two countries. 
Other markets with future potential for German construction equipment and building material machinery industry are Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Yemen, which are upgrading their cement capacities. Iran is still considered to be one of the largest sales markets. By 2020, the total current capacity of around 30 billion tonnes per year is to increase to around 70 billion tonnes, he added.
Both Germany and the UAE have organised various events in the past to improve bilateral trade relations and promise to hold much more in the years to come. Several delegations have arrived from Germany in last year alone to build on business prospects. German companies have also increased their participation in trade fairs. At the Big 5 show in Dubai late last year, for example, German companies took up 145 stands - the third largest participation after the UAE and China.
At Middle East Electricity held last month, 42 German manufacturers of power generation, electrotechnical and lighting equipment showcased their range of products and services.
Meanwhile, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCC) has urged its members to take part in the Dubai-German Economic Forum which is taking place in Munich from May 26 to 28. As the official organiser with the Dubai Development and Investment Authority, DCCI is encouraging local businesses to take advantage of this opportunity in a bid to promote Dubai as the investment hub of the region to German perspective investors.
The forum which is being organised by Index, the conferences and exhibitions organisers, is the first initiative by Dubai in Germany, and aims to further develop and enhance the flow of investment between the two countries.
The forum constitutes of 11 subjects of roundtable discussions including industrial development and joint ventures, building construction and real estate, infrastructure and environmental technology, among others.
Among other developments, the German Industry and Commerce Office has also started the Bilateral Investment and Financial Services, which is expected to exclusively promote the Arab-German business partnerships in the Oman, UAE and Qatar. The concept is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and has been reciprocated by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce through the setting up of a Bilateral Investment Forum where the business ideas of the German companies could be presented.
Another organization which supports bilateral cooperation, is the German Emirates Services. It serves both the local and the German Business Community by identifying and optimal channels for companies to exploit new markets