Samsung Electronics Chief Jay Y. Lee leaves to meet with UAE president

Jay Y. Lee, left, guides Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at a Samsung factory on Feb. 26, 2019. [Source : Samsung Electronics]

Samsung Electronics Co. Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee will visit the Middle East for the first time since assuming his leadership. He is expected to arrive in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab, just one year after his visit in December last year.

According to sources familiar with his business trip, Lee left for Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Although details of his itinerary were not disclosed, the purpose of his visit would be similar to the previous one.

Early December last year, he visited UAE and met with now President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was the crown prince of the nation at that time. Before ascending to presidency, he invited influential figures worldwide, such as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Carlyle Group Chairman David Rubenstein, to hold small closed meetings at the end of the year.

Lee and President Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) have met many times over the years. In February 2019, MBZ visited Samsung Electronics’ Hwaseong plant, and Lee walked him through Samsung’s 5G technologies. Lee also visited the mortuary of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former president of the nation and MBZ’s half-brother.

Samsung Electronics has put much effort into the Middle East, where regional nations are eager to build new businesses, such as hi-tech manufacturing and renewable energy. Samsung Group has maintained partnerships with the UAE through Samsung C&T Corp., which built the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and Samsung Engineering Co., which has built many refineries.