HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum inaugurates Dubai Logistics Corrido

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum inaugurates Dubai Logistics Corrido

Transport and logistics corridor seamlessly links sea, land and air routes.

October 15, 2010 3:42 by Rasha Reslan

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, the Dubai Logistics Corridor was officially inaugurated today.

The Dubai Logistics Corridor, which links sea, land and air, is spread out over an area of approximately 200 square kilometres. The corridor bridges Jebel Ali Port, the sixth-largest container port in the world; Jebel Ali Free Zone, host to more than 6,500 companies; and Dubai World Central, home to Al Maktoum International Airport, which, upon completion, will be the world’s largest airport in both size and volume.

Bringing together for the first time in the Middle East all of the components needed to create a true multimodal logistics platform, today’s event underscores the city’s long-term commitment to facilitating the growth and development of regional and global commerce.

This corridor will facilitate increased and more efficient trade flows in the emirate, significantly enhancing the economic competitiveness of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates as a whole.

“The opening of the Dubai Logistics Corridor is a milestone event,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “Building upon our existing world-class infrastructure, the Dubai Logistics Corridor’s further increase Dubai competitiveness as a global logistics hub.”

“The launch of the Dubai Logistics Corridor demonstrates our focus on creating synergies that enhance the flow of goods and services within the emirate and, indeed, across the world,” added Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation “This is another important step in fulfilling Dubai’s vision to assume a leading position in the network of global logistics hubs.”

“The corridor bridges and leverages the strengths of Dubai’s major logistics enablers. What makes this initiative truly ambitious is that it aligns various organisations, people, processes, services, standards and systems to create the region’s largest and finest logistics hub,” said Salma Hareb, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Zones World, and Chairman of the Board, Dubai Logistics Corridor.

“One of the important outcomes of the launch of the corridor is the improvement in the flow of sea-to-air cargo by eliminating the processes of exit and entry from one zone to another. Additionally, there will be a potential elimination of double customs inspection. This is just one step forward, and our plan remains to further integrate, ultimately resulting in the greatest possible efficiency,” said Ms. Hareb

Addressing a gathering of more than 60 key public and private-sector decision-makers, Rashed Buqara’a, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, noted that the Dubai Logistics Corridor complements perfectly Dubai World Central’s drive to deliver speed and connectivity.

“Cities with greater logistics capabilities attract more foreign direct investment,” he noted. “With the launch of the Dubai Logistics Corridor, and as a consequence of creating a unique multimodal platform, Dubai will attract even higher levels of foreign investment.

“The Dubai Logistics Corridor board structure and framework allow for sustainability, project development and engagement with stakeholders such as Dubai Customs, Dubai Airports and DP World. Together, we will provide customers with seamless, fast-cycle logistics solutions,” said Buqara’a.

Among those who attended today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony were heads of organisations such as Dubai Airports, DNATA, Dubai Customs, DP World, Dubai Department of Economic Development, Foreign Direct Investment Dubai, Dubai Export Development, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai Department of Finance and the Executive Council.

The streamlining of logistics processes will play a key role in achieving further economic development within the corridor, which already collectively represents more than 25 per cent of Dubai’s GDP.