UAE’s federal export credit company, Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), has hosted Berne Union’s Prague Club Committee (PCC) Biennial Meeting for the first time, in Dubai.
Berne Union is an international association for the export credit and investment insurance industry.
The global event united delegates from PCC member countries to discuss export-oriented innovation and growth strategies as well as the pivotal role of export credit agencies in trade facilitation and promotion. The meeting also facilitated a platform for the Berne Union members to strengthen ties and drive dialogue on critical issues impacting trade and investment, following global supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi UAE Minister of State, Foreign Trade Deputy Chairman Board of Directors – ECI
“In a complex interconnected world, businesses continue to face hurdles and disruptions necessitating better cooperation between countries and their export credit agencies. Berne Union’s Prague Club Committee Meeting is instrumental in setting the future agenda in ensuring the growth of export innovation. The UAE is therefore delighted to host this major event, which will pave the way to a new era of international trading and economic prosperity.”
Meanwhile, Berne Union President Ms. Michal Ron stated that “The close association between export credit agencies has become crucial in the current economic cycle, which has been seriously impacted by an unforeseen event in world history. Working together is key to navigating these unprecedented challenges in global trade. We’re pleased to team up with one of our youngest members, ECI, to host the PCC biennial meeting in the UAE, which will be a significant step in empowering the trade credit insurance community across the globe.”
Mr. Massimo Falcioni, CEO of ECI, remarked that “Organizing the Prague Club Committee meeting is a major accomplishment in line with our mission to strengthen the UAE’s non-oil trade and national economic diversification. With the active participation and dynamic discussion among the important stakeholders in this ecosystem, this gathering will certainly have a far-reaching impact on the export insurance industry and the global economic recovery. It also took place at a time when the need to make a rapid transition towards clean energy is becoming highly critical.
“The UAE has always been a forerunner on this front and winning the bid to host the COP28 climate conference in 2023 is a fitting tribute to its leadership role for a sustainable future. We’ve been reinforcing the UAE’s ‘Net-Zero by 2050’ strategy by partnering with government entities and other ECAs. We believe the collaboration between the credit insurance companies across the globe can make a profound influence in this much-needed transition,” Mr. Falcioni added.
Prague Club Committee is formed to provide a community to address the particular issues faced by smaller-scale members of the export credit and investment insurance community. And it also aimed to provide information, resources, and support for export credit organizations.
The PCC constitutes 40 members, which is a diverse mix of public, private, and multilateral agencies with widely differing business models and products. The majority of these are from smaller home markets – predominantly in Eastern and Central Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, and African regions – with a common objective to support the diversification of national exports.
