UAE - Mubasher: A number of Chinese companies are planning to invest over $4 billion (AED 14.68 billion) in logistics projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, according to the President of National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL).
This move comes following the major growth achieved in the UAE’s logistics industry with more logistics parks to come out in the two cities, according to a press release.
Nadia Abdul Aziz, President of NAFL and Vice President of Global Extended Board, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), said: “Many projects are being built for Expo 2020 […] There will be large logistics parks in Jebel Ali and one near the Expo venue. One is for food processing and the other is for manufacturing and exporting.”
A huge logistics project will be also established in the UAE’s capital in an effort to bolster the state’s trading sector, Abdul Aziz added in a meeting with NAFL members during its annual general meeting (AGM) at Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa.
The Emirati government works on attracting foreigners to invest in the country and manufacture and export to support trade that contributes around 30% to Dubai’s gross domestic product (GDP), she noted.
NAFL will maintain building rapport with the government to promote the industry and help investors invest in the UAE and raise the logistics service industry standards in the UAE, she said.
“We are working to raise the industry standards, by training, networking, solving industry issues, by looking at opportunities to help the members, and by building platform for the members to market their companies. We also represent the UAE in international events and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to the country,” Abdul Aziz added.
NAFL also encourages young students to join the sector under its strategy that comes in line with the UAE strategy aiming at empowering and training UAE nationals in this sector.
She highlighted that the association offers scholarships for UAE nationals in the freight industry courses as part of its strategy.
She also called the NAFL members to participate in the coming international logistics conference Region Africa Middle East 2019 (RAME) which will take place in Beirut from 24 to 25 June 2019 to promote for local companies.
