The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) will promote the local maritime sector’s competitiveness at the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology (SMM) Hamburg 2016, a leading trade fair for the maritime industry, next month, in Germany.

The event will take place from September 6 to 9, in Hamburg.

DMCA will participate alongside the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote the city’s leadership and standards of excellence to make the emirate one of the world’s most competitive maritime hubs, said a statement from the company.

On top of their participation, DMCA and the Dubai Chamber will also dispatch a trade mission to Germany from September 4 to 10 to meet with local and international business communities, it said.

The meetings will enable the Emirati authorities to highlight the features of the local maritime cluster, strengthen channels for direct communications, explore new investment prospects, and gain access to the latest innovations and emerging trends in the global maritime industry, it added.

DMCA’s attendance in the biennial international fair is a major step towards showcasing the key aspects of the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS) developed in accordance with the goals revolve around establishing a sustainable and integrated maritime sector; gaining regional and international investors’ confidence in domestic integrated logistics programs; building world-class infrastructure; and developing maritime regulations and legislations for smooth maritime operations in accordance with the highest professional safety standards, best environmental practices, and local and international resolutions, said a statement.

The event will also serve as a platform for DMCA to highlight the Dubai Maritime Cluster Office it recently established in response to the government’s efforts to transform the local maritime sector into one of the world’s most comprehensive and competitive maritime clusters. It will introduce the office’s pivotal role in strengthening the fruitful cooperation among government sector, private entities, and stakeholders involved in local, regional and global maritime activities.

The 3rd edition of Dubai Maritime Week is also expected to gain international interest during SMM Hamburg 2016. To be held from October 30 to November 3, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Dubai Maritime Week is an integrated platform that features the latest emerging trends and best practices to improve the maritime sector locally, regionally, and globally.

Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, Dubai Chamber’s second vice chairman, is looking forward to attending SMM Hamburg 2016 as part of the UAE delegation along with DMCA.

Al Shirawi said: “We organise the UAE’s trade mission on the sidelines of the prestigious SMM Hamburg 2016 following our success during the 2014 edition, with UAE delegates meeting with their German and other foreign counterparts.”

“We are confident that our efforts, in cooperation with DMCA, will deliver tangible and positive results in terms of supporting the growth of maritime activity and consolidating Dubai’s reputation as a major global headquarters for operators of ports and a key global destination for ship owners,” he added.

Amer Ali, executive director of DMCA, said: “We are confident that DMCA and the Dubai Chamber will successfully represent the UAE in this important international event.”

“We have already made major strides in boosting Dubai’s capabilities in hosting key global maritime events and promoting the competitiveness of the local maritime clustering. Our series of quality initiatives have made a clear impact on promoting sustainability and competitiveness in Dubai and the UAE’s maritime industry,” he added.

“We are also honoured to organise the upcoming trade mission as part of our mutually beneficial partnership with the Dubai Chamber,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service