AACCI's WA Chapter hosted a function at the South of Perth Yacht Club on 12 March 2008 for the UAE Ambassador, Dr Saeed Mohamed Al Shamsi, who was making an official visit to Western Australia. His Excellency spoke about the commonalities between Australia and the UAE, and the fact that Perth was the closest Australian city to the UAE.

He urged Australian business people to look for commercial opportunities throughout the UAE, noting that people tended to focus only on Dubai and forgot about Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates. Over 80 people attended this event and were treated to a display of belly dancing, Arabian music and food. The Rug Palace very kindly donated a $6,500 silk rug as a door prize.

From left to right - Ashish Puri (DOIR), Edmund Damouni (WA Chair and AACCI Board Member, Antry), UAE Ambassador, Donna Massie (WA Chapter Vice Chair, Leader Group), Torsten Ketelsen (Garnet Resources), Douglas Joyce (Body Wise) and Geoff Puttick (Pre-Paid Legal).