ABCC Events
H E Mr Ali Mohammed Thunayan Al Ghanim Becomes First Honorary President of the ABCC The Arab British Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that His Excellency Mr Ali Mohammed Thunayan Al-Ghanim, the Chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has become its First Honorary President. The appointment was bestowed at a special luncheon held in honour of Mr Al Ghanim in recognition of his long and distinguished career, and for his tireless efforts to develop Arab-British trade relations – with the Gulf States and Kuwait in particular. The honour was, furthermore, a fitting acknowledgement of Mr Al Ghanim’s major contribution to the development of the Chamber over the many years that he has served as a member of its board of directors and in the office as ABCC Vice Chairman.
relations with Britain were special and Kuwait was always working to strengthen these relations at all levels. Speaking at the event, H E Khaled Abdulaziz Al-Duwaisan GCVO, Kuwait Ambassador to the UK and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, welcomed the honour describing H E Mr Al Ghanim as a most distinguished person known throughout Kuwait and abroad. For his part, Mr Reda, ABCC CEO & Secretary General, warmly thanked Mr Al Ghanim for his steadfast support for the work of the Chamber and applauded his exceptional role in developing Arab British trade.
An inauguration ceremony took place on 10th February 2020 at The Biltmore Hotel, in Grosvenor Square, in London’s Mayfair, in the presence of the Rt Hon Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, Chairman, ABCC and Mr Bandar Reda, Secretary General & CEO, ABCC.
His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah later sent his sincere congratulations to Mr Al Ghanim on the news of the appointment.
Invited guests included ambassadors, other leading diplomats, dignitaries, senior business executives and members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors among other distinguished participants. In paying tribute, Baroness Symons stated that Mr Al Ghanim had made a major contribution to ensuring that the Chamber had been able to successfully navigate an often challenging economic environment and rapidly changing times. “We are fortunate to have served alongside him and benefitted tremendously from his wisdom 24 | ARAB-BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
In addressing the gathering during the ceremony, ABCC Chairman Rt Hon Baroness Symons stated, and sound judgement”, the ABCC Chairman said. In response, Mr Al Ghanim expressed his pride at being chosen by the ABCC as its first honorary president. He declared that the honour should be shared with the State of Kuwait, its leadership and people. He pointed out that Kuwait’s
“We are delighted to be holding this special celebratory lunch to say thank you and pay our warm tribute to one of the most remarkable figures in Arab and British public life; a man who is admired around the world and greatly respected by all those who are fortunate to have known and worked with him.
