Maritime industry focus of Dubai-Denmark symposium

The Royal Consulate General of Denmark organized the Dubai-Denmark Maritime Symposium with a focus on promoting friendly collaboration between Dubai and Denmark, spotlighting Dubai as one of the top international nautical hubs in the region.

The event was hosted on Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry premises.

In addition to the 40 visiting delegation and UAE businessmen, several dignitaries attended the event, including Majid Al Ghurair, chairman of the Dubai Chamber; Troels Poulsen, Danish minister of business and growth; Merete Juhl, ambassador of Denmark to the UAE; and Jenny Braat, managing director at Danish Maritime.

Al Ghurair kicked off the event with a welcoming speech that noted the achievement of Denmark and Dubai being recognized as top maritime hubs in their respective regions.

“This important symposium provides a fitting platform for Dubai-based companies to network with international maritime business leaders and expand their footprint abroad while laying the foundation of a strong business relationship with their Danish counterparts in the long run,” he said.

Al Ghurair also noted the significance of the nautical affects to Dubai’s trade system. It was specified that 39 percent of Dubai’s total foreign trade with ocean freight in 2015 was valued at roughly $136.4 billion. Dubai is one of the world’s largest transshipment hubs, following Hong Kong and Singapore.

“The emirate is also known for its expertise in shipbuilding, vessel servicing and container management as the establishment of the Dubai Maritime City, under the vision of the emirate’s wise leadership, has brought in a radical change to the industry and strengthened Dubai’s position as a first-class international maritime hub,” Al Ghurair said. “Dubai Chamber is supporting this strategy with a variety of initiatives aimed at expanding trade within the sector as the organization is keen to encourage the adoption of the world’s best practices, and latest technological applications of environmentally friendly initiatives to facilitate the growth of the emirate’s maritime sector.”

Recognition was given to the emirate in the maritime industry by Poulsen, the Danish minister, as he noted the obvious work of those in the sector to build a top ranked hub for trade and longevity.

“Shipping and the maritime sector is the backbone of global trade,” Poulsen said. “Therefore, we have to be vigilant as the international maritime sector faces a number of challenges. But with challenges also come opportunities and we have the opportunity to develop new sustainable solutions and be front runners in developing and using new digital solutions.”