Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation inaugurate fishing harbours in Dubai

On the basis of the directives by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai aiming at reviving paternal and grands heritage and preserving their ancient legacy, and in pursuance to his highness noble deed to support fishing profession and fishermen, Mr. Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation inaugurated Dubai fishing harbors development project at Jumeirah locales.

The project comprises four harbors located at Jumeirah locales and classified as Jumeirah 1, Umm Sequim 1, Umm Sequim 2 and Hamriyah fishing port in Deira.

The four harbors have been subject to major renovation and development process as to fit with the 21st centaury requirements and keeping pace with the greater changes being experienced by Dubai.

The work in the project started last May where the constructions at the sea part are expected to be completed by the 3rd quarter next year while the whole project is due to be finalized by the end of 2010.

The project covers a gross area of 40,000 sq.m approximately accommodating 600 boats as well as 1500 anchorages.

Each of the four harbors incorporates a number of sections containing a dedicated fisherman's community with fishing tools requirements and facilities including shops for selling fishing tools, fishing boats repair workshops, fish market, mosques as well as many other tourist and recreational facilities including yachts anchorages, various restaurants and shopping malls fostering fishermen, residents and tourists' needs.

Other many and various services attracting tourists and providing them with comfort to enjoy the beauty of Dubai and its enchanting desert and maritime locales are included.

The inauguration ceremony, which took place at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, was attended by officials from Dubai Tourism Authority, Fishing Association, PCFC Senior Executive Directors and a number of Dubai Government officials.

The Ceremony included a special video tape displaying the project phases, photographs illustrating the ancient fishing profession along Dubai coastal areas and photographs showing old Dubai and phases of its development, growth, progress and prosperity.

"This project comes in pursuance to the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on preserving the national identity, Dubai heritage and reviving a profession practiced for a long time by grants and started dying out by virtue of life style and the speedily invasion by civilization with its different rapid consequences."

said Mr. Butti.

Mr. Butti has affirmed the importance of invoking the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on harmonizing the proud past and the sparkling present, "Progress and modernization do not mean forgetting paternal and grands heritage and fully indulge in modernization but signify bridging the past with the present to build a future that cannot be detached from our cultural legacy and yet closely correlated to build our modern pioneering and civilized project."

Underlining PCFC social, cultural and civilized role by introducing such project, Mr. Butti said that,

"in addition to PCFC key and vital economic role at local and international levels by effectively contributing to achieve sustainable development and sharing in maintaining the national identity in a manner perfecting the overall growth of Dubai in particular and UAE in general pursuant to Dubai comprehensive vision as laid down by the wise leadership."

The project would constitute a tourist landmark identifying fishing profession and development, supporting fishermen and creating a respectable life for them and family members.

These in addition to supporting the tourism industry by attracting visitors from all over the world to enjoy the enchanting maritime and desert locales of Dubai, practicing fishing hobby and other sea sports provided by modern ports facilities.

This would achieve considerable economic earnings benefiting the welfare of the local community of Dubai.