Khaleej Times

Hamdan okays ‘Dubai Silk Road’

- — Wam

dh1.3t Value of Dubai’s non-oil foreign trade recorded in 2017

DUBAI — Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, emphasised the importance of the logistics sector as a key driver of economic diversific­ation as highlighte­d by the 50-Year Charter which outlines the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in cementing Dubai as a strategic link in global trade.

Sheikh Hamdan also noted that the Government of Dubai has already begun the implementa­tion of the 50-Year Charter, and stressed the significan­ce of collaborat­ion of all concerned entities to work collective­ly to attain the aspiration­s of Dubai of becoming an icon of prosperity. His remarks came as he gave his approval for the Dubai Silk Road strategy that seeks to build on the success Dubai has accomplish­ed globally as a strategic trade link between east and west, and north and south.

“Our goal of becoming an establishe­d global trade and logistics hub will reflect positively on our economy by boosting competitiv­eness and sustainabi­lity,” Sheikh Hamdan said.

The Dubai Silk Road strategy was prepared by Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporatio­n (PCFC) in collaborat­ion with key government entities. Internally, the strategy focuses on enhancing trade between free zones and the rest of the Emirates. Externally, the focus will be on enhancing strategic and operationa­l connection of logistics services between DP World terminals across the world with Emirates airlines playing a key role.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman PCFC, said Dubai is moving ahead with boosting its capabiliti­es in trade and logistics services through a new strategy.

“The strategy augments decades of successful investment in creating renowned ports, airports, and free zones both regionally and internatio­nally,” Bin Sulayem said.

According to Bin Sulayem, Dubai’s non-oil foreign trade reached Dh1.302 trillion in 2017, with free zones’ contributi­on reaching 33 per cent. Sea trade grew to Dh467 billion and air trade reached Dh594 billion in the same period. The emirate’s external non-oil trade in the first

Our goal of becoming an establishe­d global trade and logistics hub will reflect positively on our economy by boosting competitiv­eness and sustainabi­lity

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai

nine months of 2018 reached Dh965.3 billion.

The new Dubai Silk Road strategy comprises nine initiative­s and 33 projects that will see the collaborat­ion of Emirates airlines, Dubai Airports, Dubai South, the Dubai Free Zones Council, the Dubai Maritime City Authority, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, DP World, Dubai Municipali­ty and Jebel Ali Free Zone.

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