Third Exports Forum seeks to further bolster Dubai’s growing export business

The third Export Forum organised by Dubai Exports, an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) – Government of Dubai, opened today at the Atlantis Palm Jumeirah. More than 250 representatives of local and international organisations from the government and private sector and different establishments are attending the event titled ‘Towards Globalisation.’

Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Exports (EDC), in his opening address said the forum theme refers to the increasing interdependence of world economies and reflects the continuing expansion and mutual integration of market frontiers.

“Quite simply it is an irreversible trend for the economic development of the whole world and therefore the UAE,” he said. Awadi also reflected on the major advances made over the three years since the first forum.

“Together we have created an event that doesn’t just talk about issues, but does something about them, by bringing like minded people together to develop solutions and programmes that enhance the competitiveness of our local companies and overcome everyday problems associated with the export process.

“Every proactive step we collectively take that helps foster and strengthen our industrial and export sector also moves us a step closer towards elevating the UAE to a position amongst the leading economies of the world in line with our leaders’ long term vision,” he said.

The event comprises a mix of presentations from the Ministries of Economy and Foreign Trade along with organisations such as the International Trade Center, World Bank; ECIE- Export Credit Insurance Company of the Emirates; Emirates SkyCargo; Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and SGS Gulf Limited.

Awadi also announced the planned introduction of new initiatives and specially developed services designed to directly benefit local exports by giving access to the export credit insurance and products certificate accreditation facilities. He also said that the forum will identify export opportunities to specific target markets around the world.

The Forum concludes a busy year for Dubai Exports which has seen the completion of a highly successful Islamic Finance Mission to Indonesia, one of a series that also included visits to Australia France and Germany.

A number of exporters also participated in regional and international exhibitions under the EDC umbrella such as Saudi Build 2011 and Anuga 2011, the world´s leading food fair for the retail trade and the food service and catering market.

“Also, in line with the government’s ambition and efforts to create more business opportunities for female entrepreneurs, EDC supported businesses owned and run by women at a number of strategically important events around the world such as the inaugural Global Women Vendors Exhibition and Forum in China,” said Awadi. “Here participants were able to interact with (Chinese) government officials looking for women’s trade capacity. They also learnt of the developments in supplier diversity roll-outs.”

There has been a 36 per cent increase in Dubai’s direct exports during the first half of 2011 reaching AED45 billion as compared to AED33 billion compared to last year’s figures. Direct imports also increased by 21 per cent or AED214 billion as compared to last year’s AED177 billion, while total direct re-exports were valued at AED86 billion versus AED69 billion in the same period. Total Free Zone exports were valued at around AED5 billion while total Free Zone re-exports amounted to AED81 billion in the first half of 2011.