Dubai’s exporters should first concentrate on the GCC and regional markets to increase their exports while aiming to build trade relations with other international markets in the medium to long term, said Eng. Saed Al Awadi, CEO, Dubai Export and Development Corporation (DEDC) – established by the Dubai government to promote exports from the emirate.
Al Awadi was addressing the global annual meeting of the General Organisation of Credit Alliance (GOCA) – an association that provides trade credit facilities to its members including credit insurance, delivering credit information training and credit management services –in Madrid.
“Initially we want to encourage manufacturers from Dubai and the UAE to target their business at the GCC and regional markets,” said Al Awadi. “We will also raise awareness about the sectors in which we are strong, by participating in relevant exhibitions and conferences worldwide.”
Al Awadi also explained that one of the goals of the DEDC is to provide credit insurance to exporters to further growth in the manufacturing sector as well as promote networking in the domestic, regional and international markets.
Al Awadi also shared DEDC’s strategy to increase the UAE export sector’s share in the UAE's GDP. He added that DEDC will offer a comprehensive database on the global export markets and create awareness about the opportunities available to local exporters.
“Dubai’s strengths in the knowledge sector such as its know-how in running telecom firms, managing and operating ports as well as expertise in expanding its real estate sector with the iconic Palm Islands, the Burj Dubai development and many more such massive projects are already well-known worldwide.
“The UAE’s real estate sector, led by developers such Emaar, Nakheel and other private developers, is already implementing many such projects in the MENA region as well as the Indian Sub-continent. We look forward to sharing this expertise with other countries in these regions.”
Saed Al Awadi joined more than 150 top executives of organisations from the GOCA member countries for the event, which also had a series of workshops and seminars focusing on major issues facing global trade such as management and credit risk finance and trade services management.
The DEDC was established with the objective of strengthening Dubai’s exports, opening new markets for 'Made in Dubai' products and encouraging local business investors to develop overseas markets.
