Wednesday, December 7 2005 15:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dubai: An Indian businessman has been elected to the board of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the first ever publicly held polls to the apex business regulatory authority of the Emirate.

Yousuf Ali MA, Managing Director of the EMKE Group, emerged one of the only two expatriate candidates to be elected to the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI). He polled the highest number of votes among the foreign candidates and his margin of lead was almost double from the nearest candidate.

The elections, the first one to be held publicly in the UAE which has attracted lot of media attention, is being seen as a trend setting step by the authorities, as foreigners were allowed to contest and vote for the first time.

Among the foreigners, 15 businessmen of different nationalities including Canada, Ireland, Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan, Bangladesh were in contest.

The ADCCI with over 50,000 members plays a major role in the business decision making process in the UAE.

From the original list of 115 local candidates, the list of contestants was narrowed down to 85 after 30 candidates withdrew from the race.

"I see this move to allow expatriates in to the governing body of ADCCI as a very welcome step by the Authorities. I also feel proud to be first Indian to get this honour and would like to thank all my fellow countrymen and well wishers who have gone out of their way to support me and help me win this crucial election," said Yousuf Ali.

"I will try my level best to further strengthen the Indo-UAE business relations and address the various issues faced by the Indian business community", he said.