AD Ports Group has introduced a new direct shipping service dedicated to Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) operations between Khalifa Port in the UAE and Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait, aimed at enhancing commercial connectivity and facilitating trade with Kuwait. The move comes as bilateral trade between the two GCC countries grows, with non-oil trade exchange estimated at Dhs43.5bn in 2022, compared to Dhs38.5bn in 2021, a growth of 13 per cent. The new shipping service is part of AD Ports Group’s effort to improve trade connectivity and facilitation in the region, building on its comprehensive business agreements and strategic partnerships with neighbouring countries. 

Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, acting CEO of the Maritime Cluster and Safeen Group at AD Ports Group, stated that the launch of the new shipping service through Khalifa Port would meet customers’ needs and facilitate access to target markets with competitive rates and reduced time.

Investopia, the global investment platform, announced its partnership with Business Finland, a government organization that promotes innovation funding and trade, travel, and investment. The partnership aims to explore investment opportunities in Africa and other regions. The Investopia 2023 conference held in Abu Dhabi saw significant participation from Finnish enterprises and organizations, culminating in a roundtable event attended by global business leaders.

Business Finland’s Executive Director and CFO, Timo Metsä-Tokila, highlighted the increasing need for sustainable solutions, creating new and rapidly growing market opportunities. He emphasized the importance of creating value in synergy between large and small innovative companies and research organizations. Victoria Ivanova, Senior Advisor of Business Finland, expressed her excitement to be part of Investopia, bringing together Finnish technologies and innovative projects from Africa to the global investment community.

The partnership also resulted in a roundtable event where Finnish transformative technologies and innovative solutions were discussed to boost African economies. Two unique African growth opportunities, Isiswe and the Prieska copper-zinc mining project, were highlighted. The mining project aims to create the first carbon-neutral mining operation using Finnish value-adding offerings and the latest technologies.

Additionally, IQM Quantum Computers, represented by its CEO and co-founder Jan Goetz, participated in a session on quantum computing and AI, discussing the role of quantum computing in various sectors.

The Investopia 2023 conference focused on the theme “Envisioning Opportunities in Times of Change,” with three sub-themes. Over 2,000 participants, including investors, government officials, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs from over 40 countries, attended the conference’s 35 sessions and roundtables.

During a meeting of the Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZC) chaired by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Council discussed the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to make Dubai one of the top three global cities and double its economy’s size within a decade. The Council expressed its commitment to achieving the goals of D33 through various initiatives and discussed its plan of action in light of the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) to be hosted in Dubai Expo City. Additionally, the Council outlined packages that simplify services and improve the experience of foreign investors, and highlighted the importance of attracting Emirati talents to work in Dubai’s free zones.

The Council also discussed the outcomes of the Free Zones Energy Demand Management Strategy, which seeks to reduce the demand for electricity and energy consumption of free zone companies to achieve sustainability and support Dubai’s leading position as a builder of innovative and environmentally friendly communities. This strategy aligns with the UAE Net Zero strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and the Year of Sustainability, as well as preparations for hosting COP 28. The strategy aims to reduce energy and water demand by 30% by 2030 for free zones and companies, while providing added value to businesses. It outlines methods for introducing innovation, awareness technologies, and processes related to energy demand reduction and sustainability, as well as providing resources, tools, programs, and policies to reduce the carbon footprint of free zones in collaboration with relevant government agencies.

The Council also explored a proposal to standardize the title and classifications of services offered in Dubai’s free zones, following the methodology adopted by the Dubai Model. The Dubai Model offers packages that simplify services, enhance service channels, meet client needs and expectations, and increase satisfaction levels.

Lastly, the Council discussed the importance of attracting Emirati talent to work in free zone companies in Dubai, and reviewed initiatives and achievements made in the past period. It affirmed the need to continue coordinating with free zone authorities to encourage companies to employ UAE nationals and benefit from government capabilities and incentives, such as the Nafis program. The Council emphasized the importance of supporting these initiatives and maintaining collaboration with work teams and the Emirati Human Resources Development Council in Dubai to empower a new generation of Emirati talents in various sectors within Dubai Free Zones.