Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) executive chairman Ahmed Bin Sulayem has conducted a series of meetings with senior government officials of Western Australia (WA) in Perth to enhance bilateral relations and further bolster trade between the DMCC, the world’s leading and most interconnected free zone, and WA.

Bin Sulayem met with Alannah MacTiernan, Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture & Food; Martin Mileham, chief executive officer of the City of Perth and other key officials.

Bin Sulayem and MacTiernan discussed the important role the UAE plays in Australia’s foreign trade. As the 16th largest trading partner and largest in the Middle East, WA agricultural exports to the UAE was valued at $227 million in 2014-2015, with 12 per cent annual growth. With both Emirates and Etihad airways servicing Perth, there are opportunities to grow higher valued chilled food trade further, a statement said.

Parties also discussed further opportunities for both Australia and the UAE.

MacTiernan said: “The UAE is an important trade partner for Australia with two-way goods and services trade worth $8.8 billion. In 2015, the UAE investment in Australia was estimated at $12.5 billion. Further expansions can be achieved by increased research and beyond capital investment we are looking into further opportunities to create a more prolific investment environment. Our government is aware that DMCC has a dedicated Agro Hub with a grains focus offering finance, trade facilitation and a “Food Trade Group” to encourage industry growth. WA Government is represented in Dubai by Western Australia Trade Office and we look forward to enhance our engagement with the UAE and DMCC.”

Bin Sulayem said: “With Dubai’s strategic location providing access to world markets and cutting edge Free Zone infrastructure, we can provide significant value addition and reach for Australian trade. We are determined to work closely with Australia to drive more trade flows through Dubai and help Australian businesses to grow.”

Bin Sulayem visited the Council House to hold discussions with Martin Mileham, chief executive officer of the City of Perth. The discussion focused on Dubai’s and Perth’s shared focus on infrastructure development and smart technologies, which has high effect on the business environment and Human Development Index (HDI), where both cities were rated at the top as “very high human developed”.  - TradeArabia News Service