Held at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, the forum discussed challenges and opportunities in a transparent and constructive setting and identified improvement areas to support economic diversification in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision. With key participation from directors from the government regulatory authorities for service delivery, the forum highlighted Abu Dhabi Ports’ achievements and opportunities and the company’s continuous close work with its partners, key customers and government stakeholders to enable maritime trade and enhance Abu Dhabi’s attractiveness to investors.
In his welcome speech, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, highlighted the importance of having a platform for open communication between partners, stakeholders and customers from which to voice their successes and challenges. He said “the purpose of holding this forum on an annual basis is directly linked with the importance Abu Dhabi Ports attaches to sustained communication with our strategic partners and key customers, listening to them and taking on board feedback and looking at everyday processes, finding ways to enhance, facilitate and streamline them. Collaboration, innovation, and commitment are core to Abu Dhabi Ports values. The roadmap for our success is directly linked with them and how, together, we can achieve our common goals and promote Abu Dhabi’s global positioning as the preferred investment destination on the continent”.
The forum this year was attended by over 100 government officials from 35 different government entities, private sector companies and customers who listened to a detailed and informative presentation that highlighted Abu Dhabi Ports’ latest achievements. This included the recent global launch of Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone, part of KIZAD, which is set to bring a wealth of new opportunities, in terms of domestic and foreign direct investment, over a gross area of 100 sq. km, making it the largest free zone in the Middle East.
One of the main highlights of this year’s forum were propositions by key government entities to provide new fast track services for KIZAD customer applications to considerably reduced the processing time. The suggestions were put forward for consideration and assessment during discussions about the integrated industrial trade zone that has been committed to a continuous improvement of its service offering to its tenants and investor alike.
The Abu Dhabi Ports update also included the recent inaugurations of the newly developed Mirfa Port, Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal developments, Abu Dhabi Ports Maritime Training Centre, which recently signed MOUs with Jaheziya as well as established partnerships with global institutions and consulting firms.
Attendees to the forum were made privy to the exciting developments in the technologically advanced Maqta Gateway, which digitally bridges maritime trade by transforming supply chains and connecting port communities with all relevant stakeholders with the overall objective to exchange expertise and best practice to enhance overall value and systems in the Emirate and UAE.
The forum highlighted the progress of collaborative work with various government organisations since the last meet in 2016, and the movement, in terms of benefit to customers; it had delivered through all its business sectors including maritime, trade, logistics and industry. This year’s forum concluding notes also presented a list of suggestions, proposals and commitments that partners, stakeholders and, of course, Abu Dhabi Ports will begin working towards implementing throughout the year and reporting on during next year’s forum.