10 January 2009: Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC) has established a Tradelink Partnership with the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) to create strategic alliances between Dubai and Australian businesses.

The Partnership covers several areas of focus that define areas of cooperation including trade development, country-specific projects, export opportunities, exhibition participation and training activities. EDC and Austrade will work to share information relating to major export opportunities as well as encouraging members of both organisations to participate in relevant trade shows and exhibitions.

“Through this partnership, the Dubai Export Development Corporation and the Australian Trade Commission are acknowledging the vast potential for collaboration across a number of areas. The Australian and Dubai economies enjoy complementary characteristics and this agreement specifically defines areas where both organisations can continue to focus efforts to increase cooperation and subsequent opportunities,” said Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Export Development Corporation.

Dubai’s 2007 exports to Australia amounted to AED 206.04 million, a 34.34 per cent increase from 2006. According to EDC, exports of stone, cement, ceramic and glass products to Australia reached AED74.51 million in 2007 compared to AED55.48 million in 2006, while textile products have a significant increase of AED32.91 million in 2007 against AED16.33 million in 2006.

“Australia and the United Arab Emirates, Dubai in particular, have a history of trade and cooperation and there are currently significant opportunities for both countries in regards to cooperative export. This Tradelink Partnership will help to identify and implement projects that will prove beneficial to companies of both parties,” said Ian Wing, the Australian Trade Commission’s Regional Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa.

EDC and Austrade have a history of successful collaboration having co-hosted several seminars recently. EDC also recently hosted a selection of Dubai based food exporters at the ‘Made in Dubai’ stand at the Fine Food Australia exhibition held in Melbourne, Australia.

The increased cooperation of the two organisations supports EDC’s current campaign to ‘Made in Dubai’ as a stamp of quality recognised across the world. EDC’s Exporter Facilitation Model works with Dubai based exporters in the three main areas of Export Preparation, Facilitation and International Assistance.

About Dubai Export Development Corporation:

Having commenced operation in 2007, the Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC) is an autonomous organisation under the directive of the Government of Dubai. Its vision is to be a world-class model in assisting and facilitating exporters, by creating an enabling environment for exports, with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of Dubai as a preferred trading partner.

The EDC has moulded its mission to identify and effectively deliver value-added trade support services to Dubai export enterprises for accelerated and profitable expansion of their business in foreign markets.

9th January 2009: The Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC) has developed a Health Safety & Environment Manual for all staff in line with the Dubai strategic plan 2015 as laid out by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The manual has been developed in accordance with Dubai Government’s Human Resources Law for distribution to all of EDC’s employees and contractors.

“As an organisation committed to being a world class export development agency through innovation, EDC is strongly committed to our employee’s safety. We take health, safety and environmental issues across the entire range of our activities very seriously,” said Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Export Development Corporation.

“The development and distribution of this document not only outlines our commitment to meeting and exceeding mandatory requirements, it also demonstrates our vision of applying best practice strategies in regards the safety and wellbeing of our employees.”

The manual outlines the obligations of EDC’s management and employees in regard to providing a clean and safe working environment for all parties. The manual also explains the emergency response procedures for the organisation.

EDC’s Health Safety & Environment (HS&E) policy recognises that employee safety and the protection of assets are as important as the achievement of operational goals. It commits EDC to minimising the possibility of any accidents or property or environmental damage occurring and recognises the role that safety contributes to overall business performance. EDC’s policy also commits EDC’s staff to environmental and energy conservation practices.

A commitment to the practice of reduce, reuse and recycle of office consumables such as paper, print cartridges and packaging materials is included in the guide as is information for employees on environmental benefits that can be gained from turning off monitors, lights and copiers at night and when not in use.
“This initiative shows the commitment of our entire organisation to our staff and our environment. This not only refers to our senior management but to all staff who are encouraged to offer up suggestions about other practices that can be implement to make our organisation as safe and sustainable as possible.” Engr. Al Awadi added.

About Dubai Export Development Corporation:
Having commenced operation in 2007, the Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC) is an autonomous organisation under the directive of the Government of Dubai. Its vision is to be a world-class model in assisting and facilitating exporters, by creating an enabling environment for exports, with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of Dubai as a preferred trading partner.

EDC has moulded its mission to identify and effectively deliver value-added trade support services to Dubai export enterprises for accelerated and profitable expansion of their business in foreign markets.

The unique partnership has been forged with the objective of providing up-to-date trade statistics for Dubai’s established and emerging export markets to members of EDC. The agreement also allows both parties to share expertise and necessary information related to enhancing the international trade of Dubai on main and sub commodities divisions.

Signed by Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer, EDC and Mr. Saeed J. K. Al Qaizi, Dubai World’s Statistics Department Director, Group Procurements, Contracts and General Administrative Director, the agreement includes opportunities of exchanging published studies, statistics, and joint research of both organisations.

“Dubai’s pioneering vision in leading economic growth has effectively positioned it as an export and investment hub in the region. Like any business hub in the world, accurate and timely statistics and research are vital in providing valid and reliable information for exporters,” said Al Awadi.

“The up-to-date information provided by Dubai World’s Statistics Department enables local exporters to make crucial decisions which in turn will play a critical role in driving Dubai’s economic growth. Our partnership with Dubai World’s Statistics Department enhances our current statistical framework on exports and trade for the Emirate,” he added.

The two parties agreed to coordinate and cooperate in a number of areas that can be beneficial to Dubai’s trade such as enhancing analytical studies, developing methods and mechanisms for statistical practice.

“Dubai World has always believed on the importance of statistical research and analysis in promoting business. We constantly upgrade our scientific methodology, particularly statistical works on important sectors of economy such as export and our partnership with EDC provides benefits that will formulate our strategies on all future feasibility studies,” Al Qaizi explained.

The agreement with Dubai World’s Statistics Department is part of EDC’s services to facilitate domestic and international market intelligence to local investors and exporters. The data and information will be made available for local manufacturers in Dubai to further their expansion and export capabilities outside the UAE.

About Dubai Export Development Corporation:

Having commenced operation in 2007, the Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC) is an autonomous organisation under the directive of the Government of Dubai. Its vision is to be a world-class model in assisting and facilitating exporters, by creating an enabling environment for exports, with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of Dubai as a preferred trading partner.

The EDC has moulded its mission to identify and effectively deliver value-added trade support services to Dubai export enterprises for accelerated and profitable expansion of their business in foreign markets.

The Partnership aims for both EDC and AHK to develop and promote trade linkages between the two economies through the organisation and promotion of joint activities as well as through the sharing of information and the provision of introductions and advice in order to minimise barriers to trade. The Partnership also notes that training and temporary staff exchange programs will be explored.

“There are a number of German companies operating in Dubai and there are an increasing number of Dubai based companies that we are working with who are already operating in Germany or are considering doing so. This Tradelink Partnership acknowledges the commitment of both EDC and AHK to making positive contributions to the German and UAE economies,” said Engineer Saad Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Export Development Corporation.

Germany and the United Arab Emirates enjoy a long and established history of trade. Dubai’s 2007 exports to Germany amounted to AED188.4 million, a growth of 41 per cent as compared to the 2006 figure of AED133.3 million. In 2007, Dubai imported goods from Germany amounting to AED18.7 billion, a growth of 25.5 per cent when compared to the 2006 figure of AED14.9 billion. Dubai’s top exports to Germany are stone, cement, ceramic and glass products followed by plastics and rubber products. Machinery, electrical and electronics equipment is the category with the highest value import value from Germany to Dubai, followed by vehicle, aircraft & transport equipment.

The increased cooperation of the two organisations supports EDC’s current campaign to make ‘Made in Dubai’ a stamp of quality that is recognised across the world. EDC’s Exporter facilitation Model works with Dubai based exporters in the three main areas of Export Preparation, Facilitation and International Assistance.

Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC) has been established to provide Dubai companies with assistance and services required to export and expand their international business.

The German Industry and Commerce Office Oman / Qatar / United Arab Emirates (AHK) has been established to provide German companies with assistance and services required to export and expand their international business, and attract investment to Germany.

About Dubai Export Development Corporation:

Having commenced operation in 2007, the Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC) is an autonomous organisation under the directive of the Government of Dubai. Its vision is to be a world-class model in assisting and facilitating exporters, by creating an enabling environment for exports, with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of Dubai as a preferred trading partner.

The EDC has moulded its mission to identify and effectively deliver value-added trade support services to Dubai export enterprises for accelerated and profitable expansion of their business in foreign markets.