Dubai Exports well positioned to aid regional and international companies

UAE - Companies that are looking to expand their business into new markets but are unsure of the requirements or documentation that is needed, can simply request a meeting with Dubai Exports through one of their 24 international trade offices, said Saed Al Awadi, CEO of Dubai Exports.

Speaking at the 10th Market Dialogue Session by Dubai Economy, Al Awadi highlighted how Dubai Exports had been successfully tackling the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic globally. For many, it was business as usual, despite not working from offices, he noted.

“Dubai has been affected because it is a global city, however, Dubai Exports has not stopped its operations at all during this challenging time,” he said. “We had to ensure that we continued our activities, services, visits, exhibitions, conferences, networking, and market studies during the pandemic.”

“Our shift towards e-services helped us to stay in touch with our partners, customers, stakeholders, and exporters, both locally and internationally. We also had field visits for manufacturing companies that needed special services such as the procurement of raw materials, which were impacted because of border issues and logistics. There was a lot of demand for food, processed food, and health and medical equipment. We also worked with lots of companies that were able to shift production into making masks and gloves for medical staff and residents,” he revealed.

Key to the success of Dubai Exports’ operations during this time has been the role played by ‘Exporters Gateway’, a knowledge platform that provides vital economic and trade data for the UAE and Dubai, as well as information on the most sought-after UAE products. The launch of the digital platform was part of a series of initiatives which Dubai Exports implemented to diversify its services, and explore new channels that increase the export capabilities of local companies and enable them to successfully compete in foreign markets. The portal gives local exporters a competitive edge across global markets by helping them overcome major challenges in marketing their product, searching for partners, selecting the ideal partner, and estimating export costs.

Al Awadi also reiterated Dubai Exports’ readiness to help companies with whatever challenge they are facing, especially now during the pandemic. “There are lots of starting opportunities for companies in Dubai in both the mainland and the freezones. Our experts are ready to help you with consultations, and they can connect you to our sister agencies such as Dubai FDI. In the case where you have already decided on a location, Dubai Exports can connect you to the right person in the government authority so that you can find out the specific requirements that you need to proceed.”

Lastly, he also urged companies to stay updated on the list of various initiatives and incentives that the Dubai Government has launched to protect businesses from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “These incentives are listed on the FDI website, and you can find one that is specific to your business, location, and industry. If you are a member of Dubai Exports then you are eligible to receive discounts that are provided by our strategic partners, as well as other incentives such as free consultations and in-depth trade reports.”