Atiq Juma Nasib, Senior Director, Commercial Services Sector, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted Dubai’s non-oil trade with Italy during the first 10 months of 2011 which he said amounted to Dhs14.8 billion while there are 207 Italian companies operating in Dubai which he said clearly shows the robustness of the bilateral trade relations enjoyed between Dubai and Italy. In his welcome address, Nasib who was speaking at the area meeting of Italian Chambers of Commerce in Asia and South Africa organised by the Italian Industry and Commerce Office in the UAE and hosted by Dubai Chamber, called upon the Italian companies to benefit from Dubai’ strategic location and business competitiveness to expand their business interests into the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Meanwhile, Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber, lauded the role of the emirate of Dubai which he said has become an ideal destination for global business meetings, exhibitions and conferences thanks to the vision of its leaders as the hosting of this area meeting of Italian chambers shows the importance of the emirate as a regional business destination. On his part, Christian Lungarotti, Head of Commercial Office of the Italian Embassy to the UAE, stated that the UAE is the leading market for Italian products and exports and called upon the delegates to benefit from the facilities available here to serve the Asian and Middle Eastern businesses while also to enhance the bilateral cooperation between Italy and Dubai. The concluding day of the meeting, held at Dubai Chamber for Italian Chambers of Commerce in Asia and South Africa, was titled, Milan Expo 2015 - An Italian Window for Business and Tourism Opportunities.