August 23, 2017. United Arab Emirates: The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) received high-level delegation from Land and Sea Ports Sector of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs led by Brigadier Salah Ahmad Al-Qamzi, Assistant Director General of the Land & Sea Ports Sector, in its headquarters in Dubai. The meeting underscored the importance of an integrated government system to enhance the local maritime sector according to the emirate’s economic diversification policy. The two parties discussed ways to improve their cooperation and help strengthen the domestic legislative infrastructure to raise the share of the maritime community’s economic contributions. Through their joint efforts, both parties said they are expressing their support for the ongoing initiatives led by Dubai’s leadership to make the emirate one of the world's leading centers of transport, trade, shipping, and logistics.

DMCA also took the opportunity to showcase its efforts to transform Dubai into one of the most advanced, competitive, and comprehensive maritime and logistics capitals in the world backed by integrated regulations and policies designed to ensure maritime safety, secure navigational activities, and operational efficiency, among others. The meeting also highlighted DMCA’s achievements and expertise in the maritime industry. 

The parties agreed to enhance their coordination and cooperation according to the objectives of the ‘Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy’ aimed at establishing a secure, sustainable, and inclusive maritime sector. They also emphasized the importance of developing an effective mechanism to upgrade customer services, facilitate faster transactions, reduce bureaucracy, and achieve the highest level of happiness and satisfaction among maritime stakeholders.

Amer Ali, Executive Director, DMCA said that the Authority’s meeting with the Land & Sea Ports Sector reaffirmed their full support for government initiatives focusing on the maritime industry’s economic contributions. He added that the meeting is part of DMCA’s commitment to share Dubai’s pioneering maritime experience and its pivotal role in driving economic diversification initiatives in line with the directives of the country’s wise leaders to catapult the UAE into the ranks of the world’s most advanced nations.

Ali added: “We are closely coordinating with both the public and private sectors to develop joint mechanisms to improve the industry’s operational processes; make the maritime sector competitive, inclusive, and attractive; and enhance its role as a major contributor to gross domestic product. We are confident that our meeting with the delegation is a major step towards integrating all efforts of our government agencies. We will share our expertise and experiences in improving the legislative, financing, logistics, and operational aspects of the maritime sector to address present and future requirements.”