DEDC reinforces business ties in Australia and Singapore to assist UAE exporters

Aiming to reinforce trade ties, DEDC's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Engineer Saed Al Awadi has met with several organisations from the two countries to learn about systems and mechanisms being followed in Australia and Singapore to promote exports and assist individual companies in international markets.

Dubai's 2007 exports to Australia amounted to Dhs206.04m, a 34.33% increase from 2006's Dhs153.37m. According to DEDC, exports of stone, cement, ceramic and glass products reached Dhs74.51m in 2007 compared to Dhs55.481m in 2006, while textile products have a significant increase of Dhs32.91m in 2007 against Dhs16.33m in 2006.

Meanwhile, Dubai's exports to Singapore totalled to Dhs108.54m in 2007, wherein base metals products accounted Dhs43.56m and precious stones, metals and jewellery have Dhs24.16m all during last year.

"In line with DEDC's vision of becoming a world class export development agency through innovation, we intend to continuously aid and support Dubai and the UAE companies in expanding export markets, such as in Australasia, by developing pioneering solutions and assisting them in the most effective manner,"

said Al Awadi.

"In 2005, UAE has an ongoing free trade deal with Singapore, permitting a collaboration of economic, trade and technical cooperation pact. The said free trade deal has progressed to a GCC-Singapore FTA, which will be formalised by the end of 2008," he added.

The visit was organised through the assistance of the Australian Consulate General, Singapore Consulate General and the Victorian Government Business Office in Dubai, who is keen to develop partnership relationship with DEDC to promote trade with Dubai and the UAE.

The following organisations met by DEDC in Australia were the Australian Institute of Export: Australian Trade Commission, Australian Government; Export Finance and Insurance Corporation, Australian Government; Department of State and Regional Development, New South Wales Government; Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Department of Industry, Innovation and Regional Development, Victorian Government; Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Australian Industry Group, Australian Government; Industry Capability Network, Victorian Government; and Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau while Singaporean organisations were International Enterprise Singapore and Spring Singapore both from the Singapore Government.