Abu Dhabi, UAE –1 November, 2017: Abu Dhabi Ports participated at the 4th Global Trade Development Week, taking place from October 30 to November 1 at the Intercontinental Festival City in Dubai. The event, held under the patronage of His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy and the Federal Customs Authority of the UAE, as lead partner, shed light on the future of global trade, exploring new opportunities to develop trade policies and facilitate administrative and customs processing to further stimulate trade and investment activities across the world.

This year the event attracted more than 1,000 decision makers, representatives of customs authorities from around the world, heads of international companies and trans-national entities, technology solution providers, and private sector representatives in the trade and customs fields.

Maqta Gateway’s General Manager, Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri participated in a panel discussion entitled “Port and Cargo Community Systems, the key to global Trade Facilitation for air and sea freight” during the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA) Trade Capacity Building workshop. Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri highlighted Abu Dhabi Port’s contribution to the new era of digitalized trade in Abu Dhabi. She also shared her insights on port community systems (PCS) and their current role in digitalizing and facilitating trade around the world. Commenting on the occasion, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “The UAE is an ideal hub for sharing global trade insights, given its strategic location as well as ongoing efforts made by the country to facilitate foreign direct investment and contribute to a prosperous global economy. Our participation at GTDW showcases the importance of digitalization to the efficiency of trade and represents a key stimulator to the UAE’s economy and its contribution to the global economy.

The UAE has adopted a policy of economic diversification away from the oil sector, with the commercial sector being at the heart of its 2030 economic diversification strategy. As a company, we have dedicated our capabilities and expertise to strengthen the commercial sector in the emirate and the UAE as a whole. Our recent concession agreement with the Port of Fujairah to establish “Fujairah Terminals”, enhancing the existing infra and super structure in addition to managing all Container, General Cargo, RoRo and Cruise Ships in the Port, and our signing with COSCO Shipping to establish a joint venture company in 2016 to operate an additional container terminal at Khalifa Port, reflects our commitment to contributing to the positioning of the UAE as a major commercial destination regionally and globally.”

Commenting on her participation, Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri said: “It is an honor to be amongst international panelists and members of the IPCSA to participate in the Global Trade Development Week this year to share our knowledge and expertise in port community systems. We are proud to be representing the GCC pioneering port community systems in the region at the workshop’s panel discussion. Port Community Systems are becoming increasingly important in facilitating international trade. Our participation focused on Maqta PCS’s role in contributing to global trade and creating a transparent and efficient trade that has remarkable financial and time savings.”

In 2014, Abu Dhabi Ports became the first member in the GCC region to be recognized by the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA) for its innovative vision. Maqta Gateway PCS has been operational since January 2016, offering an ever-increasing level of services to the Port Community. Maqta PCS was officially inaugurated on 3rd October 2017 in the presence of HH Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and a member of the Executive Council. Currently, the port community system offers more than 100 services for shipping agents, shipping lines, traders, custom brokers, freight forwarders, clearing agents in addition to other reporting and information services. Some of these services include: vessel management services, ease of registration and payment, container, general cargo, RoRo and cruise ship services.