Chinese team tours Nakheel projects; praises quality and commitment
DP World, Dubai World’s flagship global marine terminal operator today hosted a 17-member high-level civic delegation from Shanghai, China, led by His Excellency Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai. The high profile visit included meeting and talks with senior DP World and Dubai World officials and a tour of Nakheel’s island developments.
The delegation’s visit, which underlined the rapidly growing economic ties between Dubai and China, was part of a familiarisation tour aimed at getting first hand knowledge about the new developmental projects that Dubai World is undertaking at its home base.
Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Executive Vice Chairman of DP World and Group CEO of Ports and Free Zone World, and Mohammed Sharaf, CEO of DP World, received the delegation and briefed the visitors on the various projects under development.
Mr Bin Thaniah said: “DP World is pleased to host the delegation from Shanghai on behalf of Dubai World. The Shanghai delegation’s visit underlines the strong relations between DP World, Dubai World and China. The Group’s investments in that country play a major role in Dubai’s trade ties with it. The visit also provides an opportunity for closer interaction that will benefit all.”
Mohammed Sharaf said: “ Shanghai’s role as a fast growing trade and commercial hub is similar to Dubai’s and China itself is an important part of our global network of ports. The delegation’s visit reflects the keen interest China shows in our operations and the wider linkage with the Dubai World group of companies “
The Shanghai delegation was given a detailed presentation of Nakheel’s island developments, including The Palm Trilogy, The World and Waterfront, at the leading real estate developer’s head office. The visitors were later taken on a tour of the projects where they witnessed the rapid progress of iconic landmarks.
The delegation expressed its high appreciation and lauded the developer’s professional competency and commitment to quality. DP World hosted the visitors for a lunch at Royal Mirage Hotel.
The delegation also included Sha Hailin, Deputy Secretary General of Shanghai Municipality, Li Mingjun, Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipality, Bian Baiping, Magistrate of Changning District, Chen Jing, Magistrate of Minhang District, Wang Weiren, Deputy Director of the General Office of Shanghai Municipality, Gao Yufeng, Chairperson of Shanghai Land (Group) Co., Ltd, Yang Xianghai, Chairman of SHENERGY Group, Gao Guofu, Chairman of China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co. Ltd, Sun Jiakang, Managing Director of COSCO Container Lines, Yang Jie, Director of Protocol Division of Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipality, Zhou Xiaofeng, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Interpretation and Translation Service, Shi Rongting, Officer of the Public Health Bureau of Shanghai Municipality, Zhang Yi, Security Officer, Gao Youzhen, Consul General of China, Zhao Wei, Managing Director of COSCO West Asia, Chairman of Chinese Business Council in UAE, and Li Meng, Secretary of COSCO West Asia.
The economic relations between Dubai and China has been steadily growing over the years and received an added momentum after the visit to the country by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in April this year.
Non-oil trade between Dubai and China soared to a 47 per cent high in 2007, according to figures released by Dubai World’s Statistics Department. The figures showed that the increase in total trade value was from Dhs48.4 billion (around $13.18bn) in 2006 to Dhs71.2 billion (around $19.4bn) in 2007. China came second in the list of Dubai’s top trading partners in 2007 for the third consecutive year.
China is also one of Dubai World’s key overseas investment bases. DP World currently operates five marine terminals in China, including Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal, ACT and CT3 in Hong Kong, DP World Yenta and Tianjin Orient Container Terminals. CT3 was rated the best terminal in the under-4 million TEU category in the Asia Freight & Supply Chain Award in 2007.
