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.”
