The Swiss Business Council Abu Dhabiis proud to present the first

&AwardDinnerGALA

Swiss Business Council

Under the patronage of

the Embassy of Switzerland in the United Arab EmiratesPresented by

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Swiss Business Council Abu Dhabi is pleased to announce the launching of an exclusive SBC Award Ceremony under the patronage of the Embassy of Switzerland in the United Arab Emirates, presented by IWC Schaffhausen, the Swiss watch manufacturer, to give recognition to one Swiss and one UAE personality of the year.

The “SBC Award”, presented by IWC Schaffhausen, recognizes exceptional contributions of Swiss and UAE individuals who have made notable contributions to the bilateral relations between Switzerland and the UAE, be it in the economic, cultural, commercial, educational or political sector.

A panel of judges was formed that carefully selected the two awardees of the “SBC Award 2016”.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the “SBC Award 2016”, presented by IWC Schaffhausen.

Jean-Marc SuterPresident

IWC PORTUGIESER. THE LEGEND AMONG ICONS.

Portugieser Perpetual Calendar

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Swiss Business Council Abu Dhabi is honoring two distinguished personalities for their outstanding achievements and their invaluable contribution to the Swiss-UAE relations. As Minister of State for International cooperation, as Director General of Bureau Expo 2020 and as Chair of the philanthropic organization Dubai Cares, Her Excellency Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy has shown an inspiring commitment and an influential vision. As Chief Commercial Officer and - since May 2016 - CEO of Etihad Airways, Mr. Peter Baumgartner has contributed to making it one of the most successful airlines in the world, showing Swiss inventiveness and leadership at its best.

The ties binding Switzerland and the UAE are strong and 2016 was rich in testimonies thereof: In April, Switzerland was the first country to announce its participation in the Expo 2020 in Dubai and our two countries joined forces to make the adventure of Solar Impulse and its final landing in Abu Dhabi possible. The dynamism of Swiss-UAE relations are the result of the tireless work of visionary individuals, like Her Excellency Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy and Director General Peter Baumgartner who are being honored tonight.

I congratulate the two awardees for their accomplishments and I thank the Swiss Business Council Abu Dhabi for this event.

Maya TissafiAmbassador of Switzerland to the UAE

The United Arab Emirates are increasingly taking the lead not only regionally but also globally in various fields spurring on development whether on the economic, scientific, environmental, social, humanitarian or other level. This is largely due to its wise and visionary leadership and the dedicated men and women driving this momentum.

Her Excellency Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy is one of these distinguished personalities. Her dedication, enthusiasm and insight are inspiring and today we honor Her Excellency’s commitment to excellence.

Being at the helm of the UAE Expo committee, she has been instrumental in successfully securing the UAE’s bid to host the World Expo 2020. Such a monumental event will have a lasting positive impact on the entire region, and Switzerland was the first country to confirm its participation in it.

As Minister of State for International Cooperation, Her Excellency managed to lead a seamless transition during the process of integrating the Ministry of International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while, among many things, carrying forward the successfully established relationship with Switzerland in the field of international cooperation.

A humanitarian at heart, Her Excellency’s tireless efforts at increasing and facilitating access to education for all is attested by the 14 million beneficiaries in 41 developing countries which Dubai Cares, the philanthropic educational organization which she chairs, has been able to reach.

Her Excellency Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy is a forward-thinking personality with a strong message “to empower young people - the leaders of tomorrow - and in so doing continue to build a sustainable future for all”. This Award is testimony to our fruitful Swiss-Emirati partnership.

H.E. Reem Bint Ibrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International Cooperation

and Director General of Bureau Expo 2020

As Chief Commercial Officer and since May 2016 as CEO of Etihad Airways, Swiss-born Peter Baumgartner has been contributing to the success of Etihad Airways since he joined the airline in April 2005 from Swiss International Air Lines bringing in a wealth of experience in various aspects of the aviation business. Since then, Etihad have received numerous industry and client awards recognizing their outstanding and innovative product and services.

Not to forget, Peter was also instrumental in Etihad investing in Switzerland’s based Darwin Airline, rebranded into Etihad Regional, giving them a foothold in the Swiss air traffic market and creating many job opportunities locally in Switzerland as well as promoting tourism with the increased feeder traffic into Switzerland.

Swiss excellence and acumen are now part of Etihad’s DNA through Peter’s leadership. Having a Swiss National at the top level in global aviation who is continually shaping aviation history in the UAE and globally is an enormous achievement and makes our community very proud.

Today, Peter has de facto become an Ambassador of Switzerland and he is representing the perfect example of Swiss success. His integrity, perseverance, creativity and forward-thinking personality as well as his leadership style are recognized and appreciated by his employees, colleagues and business partners everywhere. His discreet and highly effective support of the Swiss Business Council Abu Dhabi, as well as being at the helm of one of the most successful UAE companies embodies perfectly the values we want to celebrate with our Swiss Business Council Award and we believe it makes him the perfect Swiss Awardee for this first edition of the Swiss Business Council Award. He truly represents what we want to celebrate - Congratulations Peter!

Peter BaumgartnerChief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways

Doors open 18.30 hrsRed Carpet

Reception at 19 hrs – Waterfront GalleryIWC Show cases and Watchmaker

Live musical entertainmentCanapés and refreshments

Dinner at 20 hrs - Grand BallroomWelcome address by

SBC President and Swiss AmbassadorThree Course set menu

Award CeremonyLive musical entertainment byAbu Dhabi Big Band Jazz Trio

Cocktail Attire or National Dress

Order of Events

FLY YOUR DREAMS.

Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Antoine de Saint Exupéry”

We would like to thank everyonewho helped making the firstSwiss Business Council Award

come to life

Andrea Taglioretti, Anita Hommer, Chinmay Nambiar, Dean Pratt,Elif Narbay, Ghada Boulous, Gregory Thomas, Isael Goncalves,

Jhun Asuncion, Katy Sleta, Le Nguyet Schmid, Luca Suter,Maha Tissafi, Marietta Deuber, Michelle Gebert,

Rajesh Babu Ponnayyan, Rodolfo Caprera-Rosales, Salma Suter,Sara Yassine, Tatjana Schaufelberger, Thomas Kern,

Wolfgang Eberle & Yousuf Maarouf.

The Executive Committee and Advisory Board Members of theSwiss Business Council Abu Dhabi

SponsorshipOpportunities for

2017Please contact our Executive Director,

Mrs. Charoline Engel at abudhabi@swissbcuae.com

www.swissbcuae.com

Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah IslandMonday, 17 October 2016

We would like to thank our sponsors & supporters

www.swissbcuae.com