AD CP, Raytheon head talk UAE’s industry potential

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received at Sea Palace, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Raytheon Company, Dr Thomas A. Kennedy.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and Dr. Kennedy discussed ways to develop cooperation between Raytheon and Emirati companies and institutions in a bid to promote the UAE’s industry capacities.

Lt. General Issa Saif Bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, attended the meeting.

Recently, Raytheon Emirates, a wholly owned subsidiary of Raytheon Company, has opened its headquarters in Al Maqam Tower at Abu Dhabi Global Market Square.

The new facility will help Raytheon Emirates develop human capital, industrial partnerships and new technology in the United Arab Emirates in the areas of missile defence, cybersecurity, effectors, and other enabling technologies.

Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Chairman of Raytheon Emirates Board and President of Raytheon Missile Systems, said, “The new headquarters brings us closer to our customers and business partners in the UAE. This will help us fast-track industrial partnerships and indigenous technology development, as well as develop Emirati professional talent.”

In turn, Matar Al Romaithi, Chief Economic Development Officer at Tawazun Economic Council, said, “Today’s ceremony is a testament to the possibility of creating mutually rewarding initiatives under the Tawazun Economic Programme. We are delighted to be working closely with industry leaders such as Raytheon to enhance the investment environment and accelerate the transfer of advanced technology and technical know-how to the local market.”

“By building a base in Abu Dhabi, Raytheon will benefit from the emirate’s competitive advantages including: economic and political stability; robust infrastructure; and facilitated procedures and processes, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s position as a preferred investment destination in the region for the largest international companies,” added Al Romaithi.

“Raytheon’s more than 31-year relationship with the UAE and the opening of Raytheon Emirates’ new head office enables us to accelerate our plans to develop local industrial capabilities that will help diversify the UAE economy,” said Alan Davis, Chief Executive of Raytheon Emirates, which is entering its second year of operation.

Raytheon Emirates, which was launched under the Tawazun Economic Programme, announced in June last year the signing of a long-term lease with Mubadala Investment Company for its new UAE headquarters in Al Maqam Tower to include options for additional space as the business grows.

On the other hand, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed received on Tuesday Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, and reviewed prospects of consolidating the relations between the two countries.

They discussed means of propelling cooperation in the fields of investment, infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainable development.

Sheikh Mohamed stressed that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is determined to continue its support for the efforts made by friendly countries to ensure economic and social development, and meet the ambitions of their peoples for progress, stability and prosperity.

Bio thanked the UAE for its humanitarian assistance and supportive initiatives for his country to accelerate its developmental efforts and improve public services.

The meeting was attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince’s Court; while the delegation from Sierra Leone included Dr. John Tambi, the Presidential adviser, on Infrastructure and Head of Infrastructural Affairs in the Office of the President; Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Joseph Ndanema; Timothy Kabba, Director General of the Sierra Leone Petroleum Directorate; and Rashid Sesay, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the UAE.

WAM