If you provide a product or service for other businesses, then networking can be a great way to generate leads, get advice and generally share your concerns with like-minded people. There is a large number of business groups active in Abu Dhabi – but what are they for, what services do they provide and how good are they?

In general you’ll have to make up your own mind, though often the services offered by these groups will more than justify the fees.Membership qualifications vary, but typically these groups are open to ...

• individuals or businesses operating in the UAE and with relationships with companies in the specific
• home country
• home-country nationals with a professional or managerial appointment who live and work in
• Abu Dhabi
• UAE nationals and local businesses representing goods or services here from the home country
• Abu Dhabi residents who work for or represent a home-country business.

American Chamber of Commerce Abu Dhabi
AmCham Abu Dhabi is one of the best established and best organised of the groups, with more than 400 members representing over 225 companies. It provides an on-line web portal so all members can contact each other, as well as a number of monthly activities including industry round table discussions, keynote breakfast and luncheon briefings with local and global business leaders and US and UAE government officials.
Fees: Individual AED 650 to 1,300, Corporate AED 7,500, Platinum AED 31,500
Info: www.amchamabudhabi.org, 02 631 3604

Australian Business Group Abu Dhabi
AusBG offers various services and opportunities to its 280 or so members, including a bi-monthly newsletter, regular networking luncheons (usually third Wednesday of the month), assistance from Austrade and the Australian Embassy, regular meetings with incoming trade delegations and discount programmes.
Fees: AED 600 for individual membership, AED 1200 for corporate membership
Info: www.ausbg.net, 050 264 1134

British Business Group Abu Dhabi
The BBG is another established and active organisation, with almost 400 members. A variety of meetings and events every month include networking breakfasts and joint events with other business groups. The Group has close ties with the British Embassy and is a great source of information on all aspects of business in Abu Dhabi.
Fees: Annual membership fee of AED 400 plus one-off joining fee of AED 250
Info: www.britishbusiness.org, 024 457 234

Canadian Business Council Abu Dhabi
CBC-Abu Dhabi’s activities are organised to maximise member networking activities – lunch or dinner events with high-profile speakers, and social events such as annual charity galas and VIP receptions, to name but a few. It also produces a monthly newsletter, arranges regular business forums, hosts visiting trade missions and participates at local trade fairs and events.
Fees: Individual AED 750, Associate AED 1,000, Corporate AED 2,500 (additional corporate representatives can register for AED 375 each)
Info: www.cbcabudhabi.com, 02 446 7223

French Business Group of Abu Dhabi
The FBG offers its 240 members regular meetings throughout the year – conferences, informal monthly social evenings, legal workshops and seminars. It also provides a number of publications and a full directory of members which acts as an excellent networking tool and marketing medium.
Fees: Individual AED 700 (drops to AED 500 after one year), Corporate AED 1,800 – 2,500 (drops to AED 1,000 – 2,000 after one year)
Info: www.fbgabudhabi.com, 026 741 137

German-Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK)
The Abu Dhabi chapter of the Joint Council has “numerous” services for members, including access to UAE and German business communities, special rates on tailor-made service and marketing packages, a trade magazine, participation in Trade Fairs in UAE and Germany, and networking through monthly meetings, Joint Council events, workshops and conferencing. Recruitment, legal and travel services are also available.
Fees: Individual/Basic (up to 25 employees) AED 1,500, Corporate (25-500 employees) AED 3,000, Pearl (500+ employees) AED 4,500
Info: www.ahkuae.com, 02 645 5200

Italian Business Group of Abu Dhabi
The Italian Business Group has close ties with both the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The IBG promotes and encourages the exchange of commercial and business information between UAE and Italian enterprises and provides innovative business platforms to provide links with similar organisations with like-minded objectives.
Fees: AED 1,500 – 3,500
Info: www.ibgauh.com, 02 667 2323

Polish Business Group Abu Dhabi
The Polish Business Group in Abu Dhabi was initiated by the Polish Embassy in 2006 and as such has close links with both the Embassy and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The group organises regular business and social meetings, seminars, conferences, cultural and sporting events, as well as participation in fairs and exhibitions. It also acts as a platform for members to communicate with prominent government and business representatives of Poland and the UAE, and provides a forum for the exchange of up-to-date information on business opportunities, both in Poland and the UAE.
Fees: Individual membership AED 300, corporate membership AED 1,000 plus one-off administration fee of AED 200
Info: www.pbguae.com, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Swiss Business Council Abu Dhabi
The Swiss Business Council organises monthly meetings, seminars, business socials, dinners, luncheons and breakfasts as well as providing an excellent networking forum and the opportunity to promote members’ businesses in the UAE and Switzerland. It also assists members with any issues relating to establishing or operating in the UAE through sharing experience and knowledge.
Fees: Individual AED 600 – 1200, Corporate AED 2,500 – 6,000
Info: www.swissbcuae.com, 02 445 8265

Jon Muller