Dubai World releases Dubai External Trade CD to facilitate sound decision making

The facts and figures are based on information from a massive up-to-date and accurate database prepared by the department.

The release of the CD is aimed at providing vital statistical information regarding last year's imports, exports and re-exports through free zones and customs warehouses in Dubai.

Over the past few years, the Statistics Department has been updating and classifying the database of commodities in terms of kind, weight and value in accordance with the uniform system adopted by Dubai. The process has made the information easily accessible.

Ms Nassim Al Mehairi, Acting Head of the Statistics Department, said:

'This service will facilitate to a great extent the work of economic affairs researchers and those concerned with statistics at government departments and ministries in the UAE. The CD will also be of great help to business attachés at the various embassies and consulates in the country. Business journalists, universities and institutes, investors and companies will also find this very useful.'

Ms Nassim Al Mehairi added that the service plays an important role in the international exhibitions held in the UAE, because information contained in the CD helps in determining the primary markets that attract exhibitors, particularly as the data highlights countries that have outstanding trade ties with the UAE in general and Dubai in particular. Also, it includes details of all kinds of commodities - of export, import, re-export and the value.

The statistics help in preparing economic and developmental plans and also in feasibility studies for investment in the public and private sectors.

Ms Nassim Al Mehairi noted that the CD is the result of a whole year's dedicated effort by a team of experts. She stressed that it will be a key source for information for planning processes at all levels. 'Statistics is an independent science that has become an integral part of economic progress. It forms the base for all economic activities, such as fixing prices and wages or for making comparative studies.'

The CD is available at the Statistics Department's offices located at the Dubai Customs premises in Deira.