DED launches initiative for small and medium-sized exporters

The two export-focused handbooks cover issues of export quality management and control, and provide accurate knowledge to export entrepreneurs in the UAE.

"In today's increasingly complex markets, access to accurate information in real time is vital to the success of regional and international trade transactions. It allows us to provide high quality services to our clients and increase our competitive edge," said Mr. Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General for Planning and Development, DED and Board Chairman of Dubai Export Development Corporation.

"The handbooks complement our physical infrastructure offerings with an offering of knowledge infrastructure, assisting exporters and re-exporters to get their business done in the most efficient, smooth and timely manner," he added.

The "Trade Secrets" handbook offers answers to UAE-based exporters about areas related to market research, cultural issues, marketing, market entry methods, agents and distributors, trade shows, and all relevant regulations. It also tackles aspects of pricing, financing, logistics, documentation, information about enforced trade agreements, and includes a comprehensive listing of current publications, periodicals, and software programmes.

The "Export Quality Management" handbook covers a multitude of information on all aspects of quality control and management such as technical regulations and standards, product certification, testing, metrology, quality management; and ISO 9000, ISO 14000. The handbook also examines complex issues as the implications of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and its benefits for business community, the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), and the value of accreditation.

"We are pleased to have cooperated with the DED, which is responsible for driving economic growth in Dubai," said Mr Daniel Ivarsson, Chief, Office of Arab States, Europe and the CIS of ITC.

"Export is a significant aspect of the UAE economic fabric. These handbooks will be key knowledge enablers for UAE and Dubai based exporters, and we are hoping to see the quality and quantity of export picking up after DED distributes them,"

he added.

DED has dedicated a team of researchers and economic advisors to put together a national version of both handbooks. The generic knowledge framework has been developed and provided by ITC, while DED customized them to fit the UAE and Dubai exporting environments in cooperation with a number of federal and local authorities.