3rd Dubai-Hamburg Business Forum

The Hamburg delegation attending the 3rd Dubai-Hamburg Business Forum, organized by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, had a field day on Wednesday during their site visits to Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA), Dubai World Central, and Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. The two-day forum, which began on Tuesday concluded on Wednesday with the site visits and opened up doors for Dubai and Hamburg business leaders to discuss many joint ventures in their mutual areas of interest and reviewed the thriving business cultures and the endless scope of establishing newer partnerships between the two cities and their respective countries.

H.E. Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, Chairman, and Mrs Salma Bin Hareb, CEO Economic Zones World, along with senior officials of Dubai World, Jafza and DP World received H.E. Fritz, Horst Melsheimer, President, and H.E. Prof Dr Hans-Jorg Schmidt-Trenz, CEO, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, during their site visit of JAFZA. H.E. Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber, accompanied the high level delegation to the site visit. Rashed Buqara’a, COO, Dubai Aviation City welcomed the German delegation stating that this visit will further consolidate bilateral ties between Dubai and Hamburg. He apprised them with the functioning of Dubai World Central which he said is a dedicated corridor with a single custom bonded free zone cluster offering fast and cost-effective sea to air connectivity.

He further stressed that Dubai World Central is geared towards fast-cycle logistics and aviation industries and works towards enhancing Dubai’s position as a global logistics centre. He urged German companies to come to Dubai and take advantage of its competitive business environment. The German delegation visited Masdar City and Masdar Institute (MI) campus where they were briefed about the eco-friendly city’s objectives and the projects that were being implemented within the country and around the world. The delegation later took a ride on the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT), a zero-carbon driverless vehicle and was shown the 10mw solar photovoltaic plant, which supplies Masdar with the needed electricity to run its day-to-day operations.

They also saw the wind tower, which cools the main yard of Masdar Institute’s campus by using water spray to bring cooling breezes down which has their root in “barjeel”, the cooling system in the traditional Emirati houses. The delegation also toured the retail outlets and made a stop at MI’s Knowledge Centre. H.E. Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber, “The 3rd Dubai Hamburg Business Forum was received very well by the business communities of Dubai and Hamburg where they pledged to work together on many areas of investment opportunities as the forum provided them the scope to explore cooperation and sharing of each others’ experiences and expertise in these sectors. It also showcased the competitiveness of Dubai businesses to the visiting delegation.

His Excellency added, “In line with its objective, the forum succeeded in bringing major players from both the cities on a common platform where they were able to identify specific sectors of interest and joint ventures for the transfer of German knowledge and technology to the country and to offer Dubai’s services as a re-export destination. Based on the success of the past forums we look forward to enhancing trade links with our German counterparts and to work jointly for the economic progress of both the cities.” H.E. Prof Dr. Hans-Jorg Schmidt-Trenz, CEO, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, said the 3rd Dubai Hamburg Business Forum has been a tremendous success thanks to Dubai Chamber’s astute organisation. “Our partnership reached a new level with this latest forum and turned into an even stronger friendship. We are very much looking forward to continue this cooperation,” he said.

“Besides our four panel discussions that provided deep insight on the chosen topics our Hamburg delegates met potential business partners in one-to-one meetings and are already looking forward to deepening this relationship. Dubai is and continues to be a strong and important partner for Hamburg. The economic structures of both cities have similarities to implement further cooperation, added H.E. Schmidt-Trenz. Mr. Jens Meier, CEO, Hamburg Port Authority stated that the forum provided an ideal platform to initiative dialogue between Dubai and German companies. “It’s now up to these organisations to take advantage of the solid groundwork laid by the forum and take this relationship forward,” said Mr Meier.

The CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority was very impressed with Dubai’s positive outlook and the city’s willingness to shape a better economic future which he said actually encouraged me to discuss bilateral ties with my Dubai counterparts. “In fact, Hamburg companies can benefit from the strong connection that Dubai enjoys with other trading countries of the world and use this to enhance their trade ties in the region and the world over,” he said adding that he looked forward to participating in another conference in Dubai next year.