The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) hosted 30 government officials from Malaysia headed by director of economic planning unit in the Prime Minister's department Zaini Bin Omar and consul general of Malaysia Noraslan Hadi Abdul Kadir.

The delegation is touring Dubai to discuss potential co-operation in trade and commerce and to study best practices in both the public and private sectors.

The delegation was introduced to the DED's activities in the different economic and commercial sectors. The members also reviewed the DED's contribution to the Dubai Strategic Plan 2007-2015.

Deputy director general for planning and development at DED Khalid Al Kassim received the delegation. He said department has restructured its strategy to be in line with the Dubai Strategic Plan.

He added that the DED focuses on enhancing the economic development of the emirate, developing its human resources and promoting investment opportunities to attract leading businesses.

'Malaysia is one of the key trade partners of Dubai and the total trade exchange between the two countries exceeded Dh6 billion ($1.6 billion) in 2006. The traded items included precious stones and metals, machinery, electrical and electronic equipments, and wood products,' said Mr. Al Kassim. - TradeArabia News Service