Ambassador Al Otaiba visit to Cleveland Clinic highlights UAE-US commercial, health partnerships

WASHINGTON, DC (19 November 2009) - HE Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States, recently visited the Cleveland Clinic, where he met with senior executives and medical staff to discuss the UAE's continuing efforts to enhance the nation's health care delivery infrastructure, and receive briefings on projects the Cleveland Clinic is managing in Abu Dhabi.

Ambassador Al Otaiba speaking at Cleveland Clinic's "Ideas for Tomorrow" series

Ambassador Al Otaiba also spoke at the Cleveland Clinic's “Ideas for Tomorrow” monthly series, where he delivered remarks that highlighted the value of continued commercial interaction and social partnerships between the UAE and the United States.

During his remarks, Ambassador Al Otaiba gave the audience an overview of the UAE's economic diversification strategy, and pointed to the mutual benefits of the burgeoning economic relationship between the UAE and the United states. The UAE is the top export market for US goods in the Arab World, and Ohio ranks 8th among all states, with a half billion dollars in sales in 2008.

Ambassador Al Otaiba and Dr. Toby Cosgrove, President of Cleveland Clinic

Ambassador Al Otaiba, who was introduced by Dr. Toby Cosgrove, President and CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, also focused on the crucial role of international partnerships in the development of better education and health care standards in the UAE and the region. He singled-out Abu Dhabi's partnership with the Cleveland Clinic as one which has played a crucial role in the development of the health care system in Abu Dhabi.

"Abu Dhabi and the Cleveland Clinic have had a terrific relationship for a number of years," stated Ambassador Al Otaiba. "And my presence here today is a testament of how much we value this partnership."

The Cleveland Clinic currently manages and operates Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi. In addition, a 360-bed hospital, to be called Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, is currently being developed in the UAE capital.

As part of his visit, Ambassador Al Otaiba toured the Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute, one of the newest additions to the Cleveland Clinic campus. He also met with Emirati patients currently in residence at the Cleveland Clinic.