The First Exporters Forum, due to be held on November 9 in Dubai, convenes heads of Dubai Government agencies together with local traders, exporters and federal and government employees, with the aim of boosting the country’s exports.

In 2008, the UAE’s total non-oil exports increased to Dh60.36 billion ($16.43 billion) over Dh36.26 billion in 2007, a hike of 66.5 per cent, according to the UAE Ministry of Economy.

According to Dubai Trade (Dubai World), the total direct exports from Dubai in 2008 amounted to Dh42.64 billion, an increase of 57.5 per cent compared to 2007.

Meanwhile, in 2008, India was Dubai’s top destination for its direct exports at Dh17.36 billion. Switzerland was in second place with Dh2.71 billion followed by Egypt (Dh1.77 billion), Saudi Arabia (Dh1.2 billion) and Kuwait (Dh1.17 billion).

The forum is organised by the Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC), and brings together a distinguished line-up of keynote speakers from the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Foreign Trade, Dubai Customs, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Trade (Dubai World), Dubai Airport Free Zone, Intertek, and the Export Credit Insurance Company of the Emirates (ECIE).

The forum aims to provide practical knowledge to manufacturing and exporting companies in all sectors and will cover important topics such as certificates of origin, the opportunities of free trade agreements, product coding system, customs clearance, foreign trade statistics, quality and others.

The forum is expected to bring together more than 200 companies and will provide not only an invaluable networking opportunity but also the opportunity to discuss issues concerning the export industry through informative panel discussions and meet with representatives from various government agencies.

This First Exporters Forum is one of the tools by which EDC provides the necessary support to its members and the entire exporting community in the country.

It also presents an ideal opportunity to support the country’s aim of diversifying its economy and equipping businesses with the right tools to succeed in a competitive global marketplace.-TradeArabia News Service