UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade to promote electronic services, interact with investors and businesses at Gitex 2009

Gitex is one of the largest specialized technical exhibitions around the world, gathering hundreds of international technology companies.

Mr. Ali Al Hamli, Technical Department Director, Ministry of Foreign Trade, pointed out that Gitex provides an excellent regional and global platform to interact with investors and business representatives. He explained that the exhibition will serve as a venue for the Ministry to introduce the various electronic services offered by the website it launched just last week to individuals, companies and institutions. The site is the first of its kind in the UAE and across the region to provide such a detailed database of domestic foreign trade and investment and includes complete MoFT-related information.

Al Hamli explained that the Ministry web site includes data on trade between the UAE and other countries from 1999 to 2008 covering values, goods, re-exports, and imports. He said that the portal is a unique addition to MoFT services which will help researchers and share important information that can assist investors and businesses in entering global markets and establishing critical partnerships. These, Al Hamli emphasized, are vital for the promotion and development of UAE foreign trade

The Ministry of Foreign Trade will display its 'e-project' at its special Gitex stand. The project includes a set of integrated interactive electronic services aimed at promoting the UAE, highlighting local investment opportunities, and showcasing the Ministry's interaction with the local and foreign business communities. It underscores the excellent information services provided by the Ministry for supporting local, regional and international trade and investment activities.

Al Hamli said that MoFT is highly committed to using technology to enhance communications with the private sector and further accelerate the UAE's commercial and economic development. He noted that the advanced website, available in both Arabic and English, was built based on the service-oriented architecture to accommodate the changes being influenced by the virtual computing and business flow paradigms. According to Al Hamli, the site incorporates flexible design to allow for changes depending on the geographic location and official functions of users.

The recently-launched MoFT website provides a wide range of interactive services for local and foreign investors, companies and economic institutions in both Arabic and English. These feature general information on the UAE, daily local and global trade events, activities and statistics, UAE trade laws, the local investment climate and the country's business and investment incentives. They also offer detailed data on domestic and international exhibitions, UAE membership and activities within the World Trade Organization (WTO), and negotiations conducted within the Gulf, with other countries, and with trading and economic blocs throughout the world.

During Gitex Technology Week 2009, the Ministry will unveil studies it is conducting on domestic and global investment opportunities and UAE foreign trade with emerging markets. It will also exhibit periodicals it issues in Arabic and English, such as a bi-monthly UAE trade and investment bulletin circulated to around 3,000 local and international investors and the 'Trade Affairs' publication which contains articles on WTO developments, negotiations such as the Doha Development Round, and international trade agreements.

MoFT will also provide information on UAE commercial offices abroad and how to communicate with them and avail of their services; contributing factors to investment promotion within the UAE; and the benefits of foreign investments into the Emirates.