During his participation at the “World Investment Forum” in Geneva Sultan bin Sulayem advocates for private-public participation for sustained economic development globally

H.E. Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, called upon the development of global partnership between private and public sectors in an effort to reach for sustained economic development globally. This addressingcomesin the light of the current interchangeable effects on the international investment platform. He also stressed upon the emergent and surging role of the private sector in reinforcing governmental infrastructure development efforts. 

H.E. Sultan bin Sulayem addressed the congregation gathered at the UNCTAD’s “World Investment Forum” held in Geneva, which discussed major international business trends while focusing on global sustainable development for this year. H.E. bin Sulayem also reiterated the UAE’s vigilance in being a leading contributor to the development of partnership between private and public sectors, “The UAE had led this experience throughout the wide spectrum of grand projects launched within the state in all economic fields, granting the private sector ample opportunities to capitalize upon especially in the aspect of infrastructure.”

H.E. Bin Sulayem further noted, “DP World plays a pivotal role in supporting the national economy, by developing and managing ports in Dubai, most prominently the Jebel Ali Port, which will have a total handling capacity of 19 million TEU after expansion. The role of DP World is to boost Dubai’s regional and global trading status, in line with the far-sighted vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, towards the diversification of national income sources and driving ahead foreign trade sectors, ports, free zones, transportation and logistics to take on a vibrant role in economic development.”

Sultan bin Sulayem stressed that “The role of the UAE in promoting partnerships between the public and private sectors has expanded to reach new countries. The private sector’s advanced potentials and its impact on the national economy’s development has become a catalyst of interest for governments of these countries, becoming more opted to benefit of the expertise of UAE companies in progressing their infrastructure. In this regard, DP World is committed to utilizing its long-standing expertise in the management of 65 ports worldwide, while developing the ports industry to better serve the future growth in global trade. Our partnerships with governments around the world have proved that public-private partnerships help both sides in promoting sustainable development locally and globally.”

DP World Chairman, H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem stressed “DP World’s partnership with governments in developing and managing ports aims at improving the overall economic wellbeing of the country. We call for international businesses to promote sustainability by committing in long term partnerships with states, to achieve mutual sustainability and prosperity.”

The Chairman of DP World added that local jobs arose directly and indirectly from the economic stimulation brought about by efficient infrastructure. An example was DP World London Gateway port and logistics park development in the UK, which, once fully operational, will create 36,000 jobs in the wider area, according to a recent Oxford Economics study.

In a session entitled ‘The potential of foreign investors to help develop the agriculture and natural resource sectors’, H.E. bin Sulayem reiterated that foreign investment needs to target infrastructure development to support the growth of agriculture and natural resource sectors by providing efficient access to markets.

 According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), one third of the food currently produced in the world is wasted. This amounts to 1.3 billion tonnes of food, a $763 billion economic loss and 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions globally every year.

H.E. bin Sulayem suggested that containerisation coupled with efficient port, road and rail infrastructure was a way of reducing waste. “Transporting goods by container is safer, more secure and more efficient than transporting them as bulk cargo, especially for goods such as agricultural products that may require temperature or humidity controlled conditions,” he said.

On the sideline of the summit, His Excellency met with the H.E. Mahdi Juma'ah, Tunisian Prime Minister. They discussed the feasible partnerships and prospects of future cooperation. They also embarked into deliberating the efforts of development to the Tunisian economy. H.E. bin Sulayem also briefed the Tunisian Prime Minister on the capacities and expertise of DP World in the fields of ports’ development and management, as well as its continuous effort to leverage development plans with brotherly countries. On his part, H.E. Mahdi Juma'ah praised the pivotal role DP World is assuming in the field of ports’ development and management worldwide. He also stressed on the importance of future collaboration with the company in order to further cement the bilateral ties between the UAE and Tunisia.

The fourth edition of the World Investment Forum, held biennially, is bringing together more than 2,000 participants from the global investment community. Participants are to attend 30 sessions to address major topics in relation to promoting international investment and finding solutions to overcome challenges facing sustainable development in developing countries.

These sessions will witness the participation of dignitary speakers, including Heads of State and Government, ministers, executives of global companies and stock exchanges, sovereign wealth fund managers, investment treaty negotiators, heads of investment promotion agencies, international investment location experts, leaders of international organizations, civil society and eminent scholars.