Oussama Ismail, Trade & Investment Advisor

Oussama Ismail

Trade & Investment Advisor

Canada-UAE Business Council

Location
United Arab Emirates - Dubai
Education
Master's degree, International Trade
Experience
12 years, 6 months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :12 years, 6 months

Trade & Investment Advisor at Canada-UAE Business Council
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • My current job since March 2019

Working with the CUBC President to strengthen the Canada-UAE economic relationship by providing CUBC stakeholders, including the embassies and consulates general, with high-quality strategic support for activities related to trade promotion, foreign direct investment attraction and international business development:

• Playing a key role in enhancing GCC market access for Canadian agriculture exports by advising Canada’s Regional Agriculture Counsellor and Agri-Food Trade Commissioner on strategies for reducing regulatory barriers and facilitating the necessary government introductions.

• Providing strategic advice, relaying opportunities, and facilitating key government and corporate introductions to Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service to support trade diversification strategies and build Canada-UAE linkages.

• Building and sustaining relationships with entities in the UAE to identify and relay cross-sectoral opportunities for Canadian businesses while promoting Canada’s strengths and expertise.

• Furthering the interests of the province of Alberta by providing the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade & Tourism with UAE in-market representation, trade and investment promotion services, and on-the-ground support for delegations to increase economic ties with the GCC.

• Raising the UAE’s profile as a lucrative investment destination and strategic export market for Canadian businesses by proposing and leading the development of trade missions to Canada for UAE entities in collaboration with CUBC stakeholders.

• Introducing CUBC members and clients to local contacts and providing practical guidance, advice, and commercial intelligence on Canada-UAE investment opportunities and market entry strategies.

• Monitoring, analyzing and reporting on market trends and commercial, political and regulatory developments to identify opportunities and challenges relevant to CUBC stakeholders.

• Developing and implementing proposals to grow CUBC activities, services and membership base with a focus on expanding the CUBC tech and innovation ecosystem.

Regional Advisor- Agriculture & Market Access at Embassy of New Zealand to the UAE
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • April 2016 to March 2019

Worked with the Regional Agriculture Counsellor (RAC) to maintain and enhance NZ’s food trade with the GCC and wider region by engaging with counterpart competent authorities to reduce regulatory barriers and maximize export opportunities for NZ businesses:

• Pertained to the Policy & Trade branch of the NZ Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)

• Provided practical in-market strategic thinking, policy advice, and analysis to MPI senior management and regional NZ diplomatic missions leading to significant successes including preferential market access arrangements with the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

• Monitored, analyzed, and reported on key market access issues, emerging trends and regulations, and geopolitical developments relevant to NZ’s primary products and food trade within the GCC and wider region to shape MPI country-specific and regional strategies.

• Represented MPI and NZ diplomatic missions at regional conferences and functions while gathering intelligence on contacts of influence, agricultural policy and technical requirements of import regulation to compile reports.

• Accompanied RAC on official calls and travels around the region to support engagement with local officials and policymakers including participating in ministerial delegations in Riyadh and Algiers.

• Drafted diplomatic notes, quarterly status reports, and formal messaging.

• Coordinated visits of senior government delegates and MPI management including the preparation of itineraries, briefings, and scheduling of meetings with local officials.

• Developed working relationships with key regional competent authorities and regularly liaised and strategized with counterparts from like-minded diplomatic missions on policy issues.

Senior Executive- Congress Development at Government of Dubai- Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • February 2015 to February 2016

Worked within Dubai Business Events (DBE), the official convention bureau, towards establishing Dubai as the world’s leading tourism hub by soliciting Meeting, Incentive, Conference, and Exhibition (MICE) business from international organizations and associations:

• Prepared successful bid documents on behalf of local associations to secure Dubai as the host city for international congresses such as the 2021 International Conference on Emergency Medicine.

• Liaised with industry stakeholders across the city to plan, develop, and execute site inspections and familiarization trips for international clients such as Ciso and NuSkin to raise awareness of Dubai’s tourism proposition, meeting and hotel venues, and government support.

• Represented DBE and provided personal and professional advice, guidance, and support to clients consistent with the world-class standards of the BestCities Global Alliance.

• Attended various local and international industry meetings and trade shows analyze market trends, give recommendations on market strategies, and generate sales leads.

• Delivered formal presentations to promote Dubai as a destination for international MICE business and motivate decision-makers to select the emirate as a host city for their meetings and congresses.

Business Development & Market Entry Consultant at USA Regional Trade Center
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • September 2012 to January 2015

Worked in close coordination with the USARTC VP and CEO to promote U.S commercial interests by facilitating the launch of American SMEs in the Middle East:

• Oversaw the MENA market entry of specific American SMEs by developing and implementing strategic business plans outlining effective market entry strategies and demand-generating sales and marketing activities.

• Visited SMEs in the U.S to better understand their products and marketability in the region and advise management on the MENA market, business culture and market strategy.

• Conducted market and industry analysis through researching various internet resources, the press, networking with industry officials, and visiting UAE-based competitors.

• Proposed and organized the participation of American SMEs in various exhibitions and trade shows, including overseeing contractor selection, stand design, development of media kits, and implementing sponsorship activities.

• Lead the development of a complex bid on behalf of an American SME and local partners for the supply of products for a high-profile UAE oil company headquarters involving liaising between various UAE and U.S-based senior executives.

Intern- Economic Development and Globalization at United Nations Economic and Social Council for Western Asia
  • Lebanon - Beirut
  • July 2011 to November 2011

Worked among a specialized team of prominent economists under the leadership of Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari in creating the first Arab Regional Development Model:

• Compiled critical research and intelligence and conducted preliminary analysis to support the narrative of ESCWA’s two flagship reports on Arab development and intra-regional integration.

• Recorded and transcribed minutes of regular divisional meetings and participated in several expert group meetings with regional and international delegates, including the IMF and ILO.

• Gathered, processed, and presented significant economic and social data on member countries to draw trends for the macro econometric model.

• Created and managed a central ESCWA database to keep track of available and outstanding economic and social data and developed weekly status reports to ensure deadlines were met.

Education

Master's degree, International Trade
  • at Forum for International Trade Training
  • December 2011

*Canada’s international trade training and professional certification authority

Master's degree, International Business Management
  • at Georgian College
  • October 2011

*One-year Post-Graduate Certificate- International Business Management

Bachelor's degree, International Hospitality Management
  • at Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management
  • July 2010

*In academic association with Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne

Specialties & Skills

Government
International Relations
Trade Promotion
Business Development
Tourism

Languages

Arabic
Intermediate
English
Expert

Memberships

Forum for International Trade Training
  • Certified International Trade Professional (CITP)
  • October 2013
Forum for International Trade Training
  • FITT International Business Professional (FIBP)
  • October 2013