On Agust 4, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived on a working visit to Dubai where met with President of the Arab Chess Federation Ibrahim Al Bannai. They discussed the issues regarding the development of chess in the Arab countries. Ibrahim Al Banai particularly interested in the preparation of Khanty-Mansiysk for the 39th World Chess Olympiad and the organization of charter flights from Dubai.
FIDE President gave details of the outcome of the recent FIDE Presidential Board in Tromso and the meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and the leaders of International sports organizations during the International Sports forum "Russia - Country of Sports" in Moscow. At the meeting were also present the General Secretary of the Arab Chess Federation Mr. Ahmed Khalifa Al-Thani and the PR-director of the Federation Atik Obaid Al Swaidi. The meeting was followed by the press conference at the Dubai Press Club - Media City - with participation of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Ibrahim Al Banai and H.H. Sheikh Butti Bin Suhail Al Maktoum.
FIDE President noted the chess progress achieved in the UAE, as well as a large number of official events held in the country in recent times. He thanked Mr. Al-Banai's efforts to develop and promote chess in the Arab world. During the visit, the goals and objectives of FIDE in respect of chess development were discussed.

Besides, the FIDE President also outlined the three main aspects of the FIDE activities for the next four years – Chess in Schools, preparation of trainers and arbiters and CACDEC. The UAE has hosted quite a few top chess events, among them two meetings of the FIDE Presidential Board (2001, 2006), FIDE Grand Prix (2002), Asian Youth Championships (2007) and Asian Club Cup (2008).

In this connection the FIDE President has invited Sheikh Butti to join the FIDE family and offered him a position of the FIDE CEO on Commercial Affairs. Sheikh Butti has graciously accepted the proposal for this prestigious position and expressed his gratitude.