Dubai Chamber of Commerce boosts business community’s cyber resilience

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the Dubai Chambers umbrella, recently organised a virtual workshop on cybersecurity in collaboration with Mastercard to enhance the Dubai business community’s ability to face cyberthreats.

Titled ‘Building Cyber Resilience in a Complex and Interconnected Digital World’, the workshop was attended by 50 participants from various companies operating in Dubai. It featured interactive discussions and constructive dialogues, providing participants with vital information and valuable insights, along with guidelines and real-world data in the digital field.

Cyber resilience is a proactive strategy that enhances an organisation’s ability to ensure business continuity amid growing technological threats by pre-emptively setting up security provisions, analysing weaknesses in digital systems, and working to protect against potential digital challenges.

The workshop is the second in a series of sessions to be held under a new initiative, launched by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce in July 2023 in collaboration with Mastercard. The initiative includes a year-long programme to help companies evaluate and improve their cybersecurity capabilities.

 Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, said: “The digital world is constantly evolving as we grow increasingly reliant on modern and smart technologies in all areas of life. But the pace of cyberattacks is also growing in parallel, with expanding scopes and fast-changing methods. This exposes institutions and business sectors to imminent risks that must be systematically and continually addressed, which makes it more important than ever to keep pace with cybersecurity developments, exploring best practices, advanced systems, and tools to ensure the protection of digital systems.”

“This workshop aligns with our efforts to provide support, knowledge, and guidance to the local business community in all practical and digital domains,” H.E. Lootah added. “The session aims to develop Dubai-based companies’ capabilities and potential, in addition to offering top-quality services with added value, which is integral to our strategy to elevate Dubai’s business environment and boost the private sector’s competitiveness.”

Participants in the workshop were introduced to critical aspects of cybersecurity, including identifying sources and reasons for cyberattacks that target companies, as well as assessing the level of risk facing technological programmes. Discussions also covered best practices for ensuring the security of institutions and the latest tools for mitigating cybersecurity risks.

Established in 1965, Dubai Chamber of Commerce continues to represent, support, and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai, create a stimulating business environment and promote the emirate as a global business hub. The Chamber is one of three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, which was restructured under a decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) announced that Brazil’s poultry exports are expected to rise steadily in 2024, with the country’s entire poultry production sector expanding by 3.7 per cent to reach 15.3 million tonnes. Brazil’s poultry exports to Arab nations have been strong and are expected to remain robust in 2024, with several new markets being added.

The Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) reported a 6.8 per cent increase in total poultry exports to 4.6 million tonnes this year, during their press conference in Sao Paulo to discuss the sector’s performance in 2023 and prospects for 2024. As per the ABPA data, China emerged as the top importer of Brazilian poultry, with its purchases rising by 28 per cent to 632,200 tonnes from 2022. The UAE came second with 396,000 tonnes of imports, followed closely by Saudi Arabia with 337,400 tonnes. The ABPA also released performance data for the egg and other bird sectors, with the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia registering a rise in duck imports from Brazil.

Osmar Chohfi, President of ABCC, stated: “Retaining a positive balance with the Arab market, which accounts for 32 per cent of our sales, is a noteworthy accomplishment. This is a result of Brazil and the Arab world establishing strong trade partnerships, reflecting a dynamic partnership built on mutual benefit and collaboration. The growth highlights the expanding and beneficial partnership between Brazil and the Arab world in the poultry sector, indicating an alliance that extends beyond just commerce. This association, in our opinion, is a significant step towards fostering economic growth and will continue to drive mutual success in the global marketplace.”