Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, DP World – UAE Region

Dubai, UAE, July 25, 2018:  The 1970s were amongst the most momentous years in the history of the UAE. They witnessed the birth of the United Arab Emirates and the beginning of a new age of economic prosperity. The leadership of Dubai embarked on a journey of non-oil development launching a series of visionary projects that are its crown jewels today.

Prominent among them are DP World’s flagship Jebel Ali Port and Dubai Aluminium Company (DUBAL) now known as Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA). Both opened to business in 1979 and began a mutually beneficial relationship that has transcended time. Both have grown to become global leaders in their respective business streams. Both are economic flagships of Dubai.

It’s no coincidence that just this month we took our partnership to a new level with an agreement aimed at strengthening the UAE’s position as a major aluminium exporter. Under the agreement DP World, UAE Region will provide EGA a dedicated, fully-equipped container yard that will handle storage and transportation of aluminium manufactured at its facilities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The expansion of dedicated storage capacity at Jebel Ali Port further strengthens EGA’s long track record of using the flagship port facility for export operations. 

In our role as a global trade enabler, DP World continues to innovate trade solutions that add value to our partners and enables greater trade for all. Our constant investments in our people and technology have helped us position Jebel Ali Port among the most productive in the world, providing our customers with real-time operational support and enhancing our efforts to respond faster to the needs of customers and container movements.  These factors are critical to our partners like the EGA to grow their businesses.

The importance of aluminium to the UAE’s economy is reflected in the fact that it’s the most significant natural wealth after oil. Our leadership realised its potential early and the result is this highly naturally available metal is a key part of Dubai’s Industrial Strategy, which aims at making the emirate “an international hub for knowledge-based, innovation and sustainable Industrial activities”, through enhancing industrial coherence to create an attractive investment environment.

Today, the UAE is the fifth largest producer of primary aluminium, leading our broader push for economic diversification. Aluminium is a vital metal and is widely used in almost all sectors, from construction to automotive, from niche technologies to everyday consumer products. This demand means that the aluminium sector will continue to grow in the future.

Aluminium and non-ferrous metals are an important part of Jebel Ali Port’s cargo volumes and we’ve consistently supported the UAE’s rise as one of the leading aluminium exporters of the world. Connectivity with business is key to going forward. DP World’s port-centric logistics have reduced costs, increase efficiency, cut cargo lead times and road miles for customers. 

The integrated business and logistics hub at Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone offers advantages that go beyond the gate in response to shipping lines and shippers such as the EGA seeking greater efficiencies across the whole supply chain to improve their competitiveness.