“The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are among the top two markets in the MENA region for U.S. exports,” noted David Hamod, President & CEO of NUSACC. “Both nations are deeply committed to building capacity among youth, especially in the private sector. Our Chamber, as a pre-eminent gateway between the United States and business communities in the Arab world, is very pleased to assist these impressive young leaders in developing their careers.”

In addition to describing NUSACC’s focus on expanding commercial and economic ties between the United States and the Middle East, Ambassador (ret.) Gray and NUSACC’s team offered career advice, answered other questions from the participants, and highlighted relevant trade missions hosted by NUSACC. This includes NUSACC’s annual High Tech Road Show, which will take place in January 2016. Commenting on the meetings, Ambassador Gray observed that “the enthusiasm and knowledge of these promising young leaders is encouraging and commendable.” NUSACC Director of Administration Raad Alghamdi added that “it is essential to support entrepreneurs who might become owners of large corporations and benefit the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the future.”

Participants saw the meetings as particularly helpful to accessing resources that can help them expand their enterprises. “We are pleased to meet with the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce,” said Rasha Ibrahim Bubshait, one of the Saudi entrepreneurs. “They help entrepreneurs by guiding them to companies and organizations that will be to the entrepreneurs’ benefit. The Chamber is a great resource for entrepreneurs who are sourcing and scouting new opportunities and markets.” Mohammad Shutayfi, a student at Western Carolina University, said that when he returns to Saudi Arabia, he hopes “to expose all my friends and family to the possibilities and ideas engineers and scientists in Lockheed Martin are working on.”