NAFL 5th DRAFT

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS
REVIEW
Vol.1Issue2Sep-Oct2016
The National Association of Freight and Logistics, UAE
Emirates
turns sight to global pharmaceutical industry with
SkyPharma
06-Cover Story
EXPO 2020
Dubai reveals further details of legacy plan
19-Feature
Al Sharqi
Shipping
defies odds in turbulent times
21-Feature
16-Feature
Pharma
community must
work closely
with regulators
21-Travel
Sri Lanka: A
potpourri
of diversity
23-Events
3rd Global AEO
Conference
Mexico 2016
26-Technology
More robots to be
tapped in logistics
www.nafl.ae

United We Can
Message
NAFL REVIEW
I am very delighted to serve as President
of NAFL for the coming years.
First and foremost, I would like to
sincerely thank HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin
Saeed Al Maktoum, our Honorary Patron
for all his unconditional support to us
over the past 24 years and his trust in me
and our new board.
I also would like to thank all our members
who have trusted over the years while I
served as Secretary General and now as
NAFL President.
I assure them all that I will do my utmost
best to always offer members the best
value with added services.
I will be introducing new services, events,
trainings and cost effective suppliers to
ensure members achieve their corporate
objectives and minimize cost for their
operations.
Through it all, our association keeps
focused on meeting its mission by
advocating on your behalf, providing the
education and vocational training your
employees need to raise the service
standards, and building an engaged
community of like-minded professionals
and creating business platforms to obtain
increased business networks for our
members .
presidency to ensure our flexibility in
serving our members
Development of new delivery models and
partnership agreements with reputed
universities across the country means
registration in the NAFL courses is
available in many platforms.
Having JV's with global universities for
the e-learning courses has also been
taking place and is an excellent way for
you to advance. We have e-learning
courses by Harvard University, Princeton,
Berkeley , MIT and many more all at your
fingertips online.
We have recently also introduced to our
members the FIATA talent connect and
exchange program on an e-portal .
I promise all our valued members and
advisory board that I will ensure we
deliver the top world class training
courses not only for the freight and
logistics industry but even other related
industries. Our main focus is to enhance
standards by high quality hands on
training and on the job experience, site
visits, all at your convenience.
I will ensure I am up to your expectations
and will do my best to achieve your
corporate objectives through NAFL
membership.
I will ensure I work on offering you more
Previous
v a l u e a d d e d s e r v i c
Edition
e s v i a t h i s
membership and solve any industry
problems. I am also working high
profile events, networking platforms and
global freight events. I will be working on
I will strive to get you the relevant
business contacts to enhance your work
in the region.
This association has been serving the
needs of its members since it was
incorporated 24 years ago. I and my
board will be building on the strong
foundation laid by previous national
boards and the presidents who came
b e f o r e u s . W e a i m a t d e l i v e r i n g
excellence through Smart Education and
Smart Training in addition we will all work
on raising the standards in our industry
b y c r e a t i n g a w a r e n e s s o n c a r g o
I n s u r a n c e , c a r g o cl a i m s , l i a b i l i t y
insurance, Health Insurance, contracts
with clients and more awareness and
understanding on the standard freight
terms and conditions. I assure you we will
be the one stop training and association
for most of your corporate needs.
C e r t i fi c a t e p r o g r a m r e d e s i g n a n d
u p d a t e s w i t h n e w c o m p e t e n c y
assessments, improved exams and new
t e x t b o o k s f o r b o t h I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Transportation & Trade and Essentials of
Freight Forwarding.
S u c c e s s f u l t r a n s i t i o n t o v i r t u a l
classrooms will also be done during my
various value added training courses
both freight related and management. I’m
going to introduce foreign oppor-tunities
for our members for further growth.
I am also working on opening job
opportunities for the young graduates
and UAE nationals. I will also focus on CSR
and working with special needs persons
to assist and offer job opportunities
through our member companies and
contacts and also try my best to support
these schools and students.
I have introduced a new green initiative
for recycling and hope our members do
not waste any materials. It will reduce
dumping costs and they can gain by
recycling their waste and in some cases
get paid for it.
I will also focus on creating synergy
between us and all the UAE cities where by
we can showcase and utilize all the
opportunities available in all the UAE and
a s s i s t o u r m e m b e r s a n d p o t e n t i a l
freight/logistics investors to utilize them.
I have the nationalization initiative to
sponsor UAE students to take freight
courses at our Association as part of our
CSR activities and also to attract more
UAE talent in the industry.
I will strive to be in line with our government’s
strategies and will ensure we
w o r k a s p a r t n e r s t o e n h a n c e t h e
standards in this industry and to make the
UAE recognized as the top leader in this
field.
We will also work on smart services,
innovation and bringing in FDI into the
UAE.
I would like to take this opportunity to
thank our UAE Rulers for always
supporting women to have leadership
positions, as this has really impacted my
life and my confidence as well as
motivation at work.
A big thank you and gratitude to all the
organizations and government offices
that have always been supportive to me
and the board over the years. Together we
make a big difference.
Please feel free to contact me for any
assistance on anything related to our
industry or country where I will surely
assist you along with the NAFL Team .
I hope you enjoy reading our revamped
Newsletter by 7dimensions Media. I have
made sure we include all the relevant
information you need for your business,
growth and travel.
Nadia Abdul Aziz
NAFL President
Al Noor Center for Children with
Special Needs Executive Board
UNASCO M.D./Partner
WILAT-ME (Women in Logistics
& Transport ) Chairperson
NationalAssociationofFreightandLogistics
National Association of Freight and Logistics-NAFL, P.O. Box 60944,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, www.nafl.ae, Tel: +971 4 343 1112
Chief Editor
Rustu Soydan
rustu aircargoupdate.com
Contributors
Gemma Q. Casas
gemma dimensionsmedia.com
ayesha aircargoupdate.com
Head-Sales Marketing
Israr Ahmad
israr dimensionsmedia.com
Head Operations
Jamal Ahmad
jamal dimensionsmedia.com
Tel.: +971 6 55 79579,
Fax: +971 6 55 79569 PO Box: 9604
SAIF Zone Sharjah UAE
www.7dimensionsmedia.com
Photographer s
Jamal Wasim
Art Director
Mohammed Imran
imran dimensionsmedia.com

Contents
Contents
NAFL REVIEW
September -October 2016
Cover Story
06
Al Sharqi
Shipping defies
odds in
turbulent times
News & Updates
09 - Dubai Crown Prince launches
transportation innovation indicator
10 - DAFZA signs MoU with China
(Guangdong) Pilot Free
Trade Zone
11 - Prospects of cooperation between
DP World & Azerbaijan discussed
12 - Jafza's automotive & spare
parts sector trade valued at $5 billion
Events
23 - WCO 3rd Global AEO Conference
24 - Maritime leaders to discuss
regional prospects in challenging
trade conditions
The Global Aviation Ministerial
Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Technology
19 Feature
EXPO 2020
Dubai reveals further
details of legacy plan
21
Travel
Sri Lanka: A potpourri
of diversity
16 Feature
Pharma
community must
work closely
with regulators
26 - Cool gadgets to try
28-Upcoming Events: FIATA World Congress

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS
NAFL TRAINING COURSES
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sessions Customized Corporate Courses can also be conducted
upon request

NAFL REVIEW
Cover Story
Emirates
turns sight to global pharmaceutical
industry with
SkyPharma
“We have to think about the future,” Sheikh
Ahmed said about the company's investment to
SkyPharma, part of the Dh600 million expansion
of Emirates cargo facility named SkyCentral at
Dubai's airport. “It's not about today. It's not
about this year.”
Sep-Oct 2016 / 06

Cover Story
NAFL REVIEW
E
mirates has unveiled its new
4,000 square meter cool
storage facility at Dubai
International Airport, signaling
its intent to seriously break into the $13
t r i l l i o n g l o b a l l i f e s c i e n c e s a n d
pharmaceutical industry projected to further
grow annually by 25 percent.
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum,
President of Dubai Civil Aviation and
Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and
Group, told the media at the September 18
launching of Emirates SkyCargo's new
purpose-built facility dedicated exclusively
Ahmed said, noting that the UAE is a major
hub for the global logistics industry.
SkyPharma also features temperature
controlled zones (2 to 8
degree Celsius and 15- 25 degree
C e l s i u s ) , 8 8 t e m p e r a t u r e -
controlled individual positions in
the automated ULD (aircraft
pallet) handling system and five
temperature-controlled acceptance
and delivery truck docks, the
airline said in a press release.
between them.
The carrier also operates the largest GDP
certified area in the world offering a total
area of 8,600 sqm of combined handling
space dedicated for pharmaceutical
products at Dubai International Airport and
Dubai World Central, the airline said.
Chaouk told Air Cargo Update the GDP
certification means Emirates is complying
with the international regulations in
transporting only reliable and genuine
pharmaceuticals, thus, helping in the
ongoing drive against counterfeit drugs.
to the timely and secure transport of
temperature sensitive pharmaceutical
shipments, the project is a long-term
investment with good intentions.
“We have to think about the future,” Sheikh
Ahmed said about the company's
investment to SkyPharma, part of the Dh600
million expansion of Emirates cargo facility
named SkyCentral at Dubai's airport. “It's
not about today. It's not about this year.”
The opening of the new facility, which was
directed by Vice President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, is envisioned to further
encourage more companies to connect
pharmaceutical markets via Dubai
International Airport, a major transportation
hub between the East and the West, Sheikh
Quality Care
Bureau Veritas, a trusted world leader in
testing and certification founded in 1828,
awarded Emirates SkyCargo with the
certification of compliance under the EU
Good Distribution Practice Guidelines (GDP)
for medicinal products for human.
Ahmad Chaouk, vice president/deputy
regional chief executive for Middle East
Region of Bureau Veritas, said EmiratesSky
Cargo, the largest international airline cargo
operator in the world, got the certification
following an audit recommen-dation by a
team from Germany.
This makes Emirates SkyCargo the first
cargo airline in the world that has obtained
GDP certification for its hub operations
covering two airports and the 24/7 bonded
trucking service that connects cargo
“Emirates was already transporting
pharmaceutical products. The GDP means
its traceability system is in line with the
European Union and complying with
international regulations, thus, help curb the
distribution of counterfeit drugs which are
dangerous,” Chaouk said in an interview.
Apart from its state-of-the-art facilities,
SkyPharma also boasts of innovations like
the White Container, which is coated on the
inside with thermal insulators to counteract
high temperatures in Dubai and preserve
sensitive cargo, the Emirates SkyCargo Cool
Dolly—a special piece of equipment that
transports cargo from the aircraft to cool
storage areas while maintaining temperatures
of as low as -20 degrees
centigrade, among others.
07 / Sep-Oct 2016

NAFL REVIEW
Cover Story
Global Commitment
As the world's cargo airline with the widest
reach, Chaouk said Emirates SkyPharma
would help more people get access to
medications that they need.
Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice
President for Cargo, said “pharmaceuticals
are one of the most important products we
transport because of the impact on people's
lives and communities across the world.”
“As a leader in the global air cargo
industry, we decided that it was
not only important for us to build
state-of-the-art cool chain
facilities for the transport of
pharma products but to also go
the extra mile and ensure the
compliance of our operations
against the highest international
standards,” said Sultan.
“Our customers can continue to rest easy
knowing that shipping their high-value and
temperature-sensitive goods with Emirates
SkyCargo is a safe and efficient choice for
their business and customers,” he added.
Pharmaceutical products only account for 6
per cent of products shipped via Emirates
SkyCargo right now but Sultan is optimistic
for growth in the coming months or years.
In 2015-2016 financial year, the cargo
company saw a 6 percent growth in its
airfreight volume to 2.5 million tons.
Its route covers 150 cities in 82 countries,
including 27 in Africa, 18 in South Asia, 16 in
the Middle East, 24 in the Far East, 7 in
Australiasia, 41 in Europe and 20 in North
and South America.
Aging and Diseases
The global health care spending dipped in
2015 with pricing pressures in the US and
unstable economic conditions in Brazil,
Russia and China affecting the industry.
But the general long-term outlook in the
pharmaceutical industry remains rosy,
based on the analysis of the US financial
research and auditing firm Deloitte &Touche.
Aging populations, the rise of chronic
diseases and the advent of innovative and
frequently expensive treatments like cancer
w o u l d d r i v e t h e g r o w t h i n t h e
pharmaceutical sector.
“Although economic woes are stunting
pharma sales growth in certain regions,
long-term prospects outweigh near-term
challenges. During 2015-2019, both global
health spending and pharma sales are
expected to see positive growth, driven by
population aging and expansion and the
rollout of improved health insurance and
services, particularly in developing
markets,” Deloitte &Touche said in its report.
Increased life expectancy in developed
countries as well as the prevalence of
obesity, cardiovascular diseases,
hypertension and diabetes would also
require more pharmaceutical products.
With developing countries like India capable
of manufacturing drugs at global standard,
more people in remote villages in need of
basic health care are also being reached.
About 30 percent of vaccines shipped to the
US are now manufactured in India, cutting
production cost significantly but still
requires quality shipment process to keep
them in their best state.
Analysts said the availability of cheaper
medicines means more people can be
reached and more quality air cargo
shipments would be needed on a global
scale.
Sep-Oct 2016 / 08

NAFL REVIEW
News & Updates
FIATA recertifies NAFL to offer
internationally-recognized courses
The International Federation of Freight
Forwarders Association (FIATA) has
revalidated the National Association of
Freight & Logistics-UAE training programs
which meant its diplomas and certificates
will continue to be internationally
recognized.
NAFL, the first freight and logistics national
association in the region, got its
revalidation during the recently held FIATA
Congress in Dublin, Ireland.
Nadia Abdul Azziz, president of NAFL, says
the FIATA revalidation, which occurs every
four years, is a very important component
of the courses offered at the NAFL Training
Institute located along Sheikh Zayed Road,
because it meant that participants can use
it to their advantage anywhere in the world.
Abdul Azziz traveled to Dublin along with
three other NAFL officials: Vice President
Ahmad Razeq, Executive Board Member
Ibrahim Abu Zayed and Secretary General
Sudesh Chaturvedi.
Chaturvedi said FIATA reviewed the
contents of NAFL courses and we're
convinced that it's at par with the global
standards.
“The revalidation will allow us to continue
offering four different modules, from the
basics to the supply-chain. Our instructors
are practicing industry professionals,” he
said. “The idea is basically to help member
companies bring up the quality of their
staff. And two, to help beginners learn from
the experts.”
These courses are also recognized by the
U A E ' s K n o w l e d g e a n d H u m a n
Development Authority or KHDA.
Abdul Azziz said freight and logistics offer
job security for those who want to establish
a career in the industry and their office
stands ready to help those who need
training in the process.
“The FIATA revalidation means our courses
are internationally recognized,” she said.
“And this will benefit employees in the
industry tremendously.”
Founded in 1926, FIATA is recognized as
nongovernment organization leading the
industry with about 40,000 forwarding and
logistics firms as members which
collectively employ up to 10 million people
in 150 countries.
“Our goal is to transform the city of Dubai
into a global test-bed for leading ideas and
technologies,” His Highness said in a
statement signaling the future of the city.
Dubai Int’l registers new record in air traffic in July
Passenger traffic at Dubai International
has exceeded all previous records in July
surging to an historic high of 7.6 million,
according to the monthly traffic report
issued by operator Dubai Airports.
Passenger numbers in July totalled
7,616,792 compared to the 6,682,676
handled in July 2015, a significant
increase of 14 per cent. During the first
seven months of the year, DXB welcomed
48,123,248 passengers, up 7 per cent
compared to 44,981,967 passengers
recorded during the same period last year.
Eastern Europe was the fastest growing
region in July up 33.4 per cent, followed by
Asia which grew by 20.8 per cent, and the
Indian subcontinent at 17.1 per cent. GCC
traffic rose 16.2 per cent while North
America registered a 13.9 per cent
increase.
Traditionally a strong market, India was the
top destination country with 990,213
passengers, followed by the UK (573,025
passengers), and Saudi Arabia (475,841).
London, Doha, Mumbai, Kuwait and
Bangkok headed the list of the most
popular destinations served from DXB.
Aircraft movements during July reached
35,832, up 5.8 per cent compared to
33,855 recorded during July 2015. Year to
date flight movements totalled 243,035
compared to 231,081 aircraft movements
recorded during the same period last year,
an increase of 5.1 per cent. The
passengers per movement remained at
world-beating levels at 220 during July as
DXB's rising ratio of wide-bodied aircraft
continues to drive airport efficiency.
Freight volumes up 3.2 per cent
Freight volumes at Dubai International
contracted 1.2 percent in July to total
203,153 tonnes compared to 205,526
tonnes recorded during the corresponding
month last year. During the first seven
months of 2016, DXB handled 1,485,177
tonnes of cargo, up 3.2 per cent compared
to 1,438,904 tonnes recorded during the
same period in 2015.
Meanwhile, DXB has also welcomed
another increase in passenger numbers in
the second week of August when millions
observed the Islamic festival of Eid Al Adha
and performed the annual pilgrimage of
Hajj.
Sep-Oct 2016 / 10

News & Updates
NAFL REVIEW
Dubai Crown Prince launches transportation
innovation indicator
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of
the Dubai Executive Council, has launched
an indicator for innovation in modern
transportation, seemingly the first of its
kind in the world.
“This indicator is the first of its kind and
our aim is to be among the top countries in
this field,” Sheikh Hamdan was quoted as
saying on the UAE's official news agency,
WAM.
Sheikh Hamdan said the urban transportation
innovation index, the first of its
kind, reflects the emirate's plan for 2021,
a vision set in place last year by his father,
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and
Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of
Dubai. The vision aims to boost Dubai as a
global destination on various levels.
The new indicator is part of Dubai's
Strategy for Innovation, a strategy
comprising 20 initiatives set to be rolled
out over the course of three
years and aiming to transform
Dubai into the world's most
innovative city, Sheikh
Hamdan added.
Keeping his eyes on a better
future, the Crown Prince
unveiled Dubai Future Accelerators
last July.
The launched prog-ramme
aims to boost private and
public collaboration by connecting
“the world's most innovative
companies with leading
figures in government to
create breakthrough solutions
for the world's most exciting
opportunities and pressing
challenges,” a statement post
on His Highness' website read.
Collaborative topics would include
Artificial Intelligence, 3D printing,
robotics, genomics and biotechnology,
among others.
“Our goal is to transform the city of Dubai
into a global test-bed for leading ideas and
technologies,” His Highness said in a
statement signaling the future of the city.
US$100m petroleum storage terminal
opens at Hamriyah Free Zone
Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority, HFZA, and
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone,
SAIF Zone, recently inaugurated a US$100
million petroleum storage terminal for
Sharafco Group at the Hamriyah Free Zone.
With 16 storage tanks, the new facility has
a capacity to store 80,000 cubic metres of
oil. It is equipped with sophisticated
equipment, instruments with a high rate of
pumping capacity and has a wide berth as
well.
Al Mazrouei, who toured the facility along
with other officials, said, "Due to our
excellent facilities and services, several
companies within the free zone have
expanded their operations, which just
reinforces the fact that Hamriyah Free
Zone is the ideal hub. We work closely with
all government departments to give
investors the right platform to conduct
their businesses."
"The free zone has always had a reputation
as a logistics centre for the upstream oil
and gas industry, a chief hub for the Gulf
service sector," he added.
Sharfudheen Mohammed, Sharafco Group
Managing Director and CEO, said, "The
starting of operations reflects Sharafco's
strength and determination to continue our
ambitious growth plans into the
international market. We are confident
that, with continued support from
Hamriyah Free Zone and our staff, we will
achieve our ambitious goals."
09 / Sep-Oct 2016

NAFL REVIEW
News & Updates
DAFZA signs MoU with China
(Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone
The Dubai Airport Freezone Authority
(DAFZA) recently signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) with China
(Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone
(GDFTZ) – Nansha Area of Guangzhou
(Nansha FTZ), which is aimed to further
enhance bilateral cooperation between
the two parties. The landmark agreement
was signed by Nasser Al Madani, Assistant
Director General, DAFZA and Pan Yuzhang,
General Director of the General Affairs
Office of GDFTZ and the Chief Economist
of the Administrative Committee of the
Nansha Economic and Technological
Development Zone, in the presence of He
Zhongyou, Vice-governor of Guangdong
Province; Zheng Jianrong, Director
General of the Commerce Department of
Guangdong Province; Amna Lootah,
Assistance Director General – Finance
and Commercial, DAFZA, and other senior
officials from both sides.
The MoU signing was attended by the
CEOs of several multinational corporations
that were participating in the
recently held China (Guangdong) Pilot
Free Trade Zone Multi-National Corporation
Summit in the Nansha District of
Guangzho, the capital and largest city of
Guangdong Province in southeastern
China, under the theme 'New Rules, New
Concepts, New Opportunities: The
Construction of the Pilot Free Trade Zone
and the Develop-ment of Multinational
Companies.
Under the terms of the MOU between
DAFZA and Nansha FTZ, both parties will
collaborate on expanding bilateral trade
exchange; promote mutually-beneficial
investments and business partnerships
as well as cooperation in information
technology, cross-border e-commerce
and shipping logistics; exchange
expertise and experiences in planning,
strategy, general operations and
employment models; and engage in other
areas of cooperation they jointly agree on.
This strategic agreement will help in
further advancing the implementation of
China's Belt & Road Initiative, a development
strategy launched by the Chinese
G o v e r n m e n t t o f o s t e r e c o n o m i c
cooperation among countries along the
proposed Belt and Road routes. The
strategy has aided the countries engaged
in the initiative in achieving US$100 billion
as value of cooperation.
DAFZA's agreement with Nansha FTZ will
consolidate their respective strengths as
leading free trade zones to mutually
pursue business and investment growth.
It also positions DAFZA as a major
contributor to the Belt & Road Initiative
which aims to extend China's global
commercial ecosystem and reenergize
the trade routes of Central and West Asia,
the Middle East, and Europe.
The new partnership complements the
promotion of the strengths of DAFZA as an
effective trade and economic partner for
the business community and for global
investments, particularly with China and
the rest of Asia. This complements
DAFZA's own ongoing global expansion
strategy to reach new and promising
markets as part of efforts to drive
economic growth in Dubai and the UAE.
After the signing ceremony, DAFZA
delegates toured the Guangzhou Nansha
Economic and Technological Development
Zone to examine the Nansha port
and learn more on the most important
services and facilities offered as well as
its expansion plans and the strategic role
it plays in supporting China Belt & Road
Initiative.
Dubai Intn’t
registers new
record in air
traffic
Passenger traffic at Dubai International
has exceeded all previous records in July
surging to an historic high of 7.6 million,
according to the monthly traffic report
issued by operator Dubai Airports.
Passenger numbers in July totalled
7,616,792 compared to the 6,682,676
handled in July 2015, a significant
increase of 14 per cent. During the first
seven months of the year, DXB welcomed
48,123,248 passengers, up 7 per cent
compared to 44,981,967 passengers
recorded during the same period last year.
Eastern Europe was the fastest growing
region in July up 33.4 per cent, followed by
Asia which grew by 20.8 per cent, and the
Indian subcontinent at 17.1 per cent. GCC
traffic rose 16.2 per cent while North
America registered a 13.9 per cent
increase.
Traditionally a strong market, India was the
top destination country with 990,213
passengers, followed by the UK (573,025
passengers), and Saudi Arabia (475,841).
London, Doha, Mumbai, Kuwait and
Bangkok headed the list of the most
popular destinations served from DXB.
Aircraft movements during July reached
35,832, up 5.8 per cent compared to
33,855 recorded during July 2015. Year to
date flight movements totalled 243,035
compared to 231,081 aircraft movements
recorded during the same period last year,
an increase of 5.1 per cent. The
passengers per movement remained at
world-beating levels at 220 during July as
DXB's rising ratio of wide-bodied aircraft
continues to drive airport efficiency.
Freight volumes up 3.2 per cent
Freight volumes at Dubai International
contracted 1.2 percent in July to total
203,153 tonnes compared to 205,526
tonnes recorded during the corresponding
month last year. During the first seven
months of 2016, DXB handled 1,485,177
tonnes of cargo, up 3.2 per cent compared
to 1,438,904 tonnes recorded during the
same period in 2015.
Meanwhile, DXB has also welcomed
another increase in passenger numbers in
the second week of August when millions
observed the Islamic festival of Eid Al Adha
and performed the annual pilgrimage of
Hajj.
Sep-Oct 2016 / 10

News & Updates
NAFL REVIEW
Prospects of cooperation between DP World and
Azerbaijan discussed
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan HE Ilham Aliyev receives
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group CEO & Chairman, Chairman of Ports,
Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), during a visit to Baku
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
His Excellency Ilham Aliyev has received
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group
CEO & Chairman, Chairman of Ports, Customs
and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), during a
visit to Baku, where DP World signed an
advisory agreement with the Azerbaijan
Ministry of Economy and the Port of Baku to
develop a framework for the Alyat Free Trade
Zone in Azerbaijan.
President Aliyev hailed DP World's
partnership with his country in developing
the Alyat Free Trade Zone, which once
completed will transform the Port of Baku
into a key logistic and transport hub in the
middle of Eurasia, serving both European and
Asian markets. He looked forward to further
cooperation with the Group as part of the
advanced economic relations between the
United Arab Emirates and the Republic of
Azerbaijan.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem expressed his
delight at meeting with Azerbaijan President
Ilham Aliyev with whom he explored the great
potential for collaboration between DP World
and the Republic of Azerbaijan in their
promising ports, free zone and logistics
industry. This follows the directives of His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister
of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to reinforce the
UAE's pioneering role in the advancement of
the ports industry around the world and to
enhance global trade. DP World will offer
Azerbaijan its expertise as a major global
developer of ports and economic zones. The
company develops and operates its flagship
Jebel Ali Freezone (Jafza), the world's leading
free trade and economic zone.
DP World Group Chairman & CEO, Sultan bin
Sulayem, said: “By entering into this advisory
agreement to develop the Alyat Free Trade
Zone, global trade enabler DP World has set
off a new phase of cooperation with
Azerbaijan. I proposed to President Aliyev the
building of three new logistic free zones: The
first at the Azerbaijan-Iran border, the second
at the border with Russia, and the third at the
border with Georgia. All of them will be
connected via Azerbaijani railways to the
challenges.
TMD is pre-configured by the factory and just
needs to be activated by a simple START
button press. LED lights flash to verify
functioning. At destination, the client just
needs to hit the STOP button and slide the
contacts directly into a USB port and
download is nearly instantaneous. Secure
PDF files are the main output of the software
and can be automatically posted to the
Internet, emailed or archived.
The company is providing two sailings in a
Alyat Free Trade Zone and the port and airport
of Baku. This will streamline the movement of
cargo from the Port of Aktau, jointly
developed and operated by DP World in
Kazakhstan, to the Port of Baku and then to
the Black Sea, through to DP World terminals
in Romania and Turkey and across its
extensive international network in Europe.
The ultimate outcome of this project will be
an enhanced role of Azerbaijan in global
trade, by making best use of the country's
strategic location connecting the Caspian
Sea with major ports on the Black Sea.”
Sultan bin Sulayem further noted that the
Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation
(PCFC) is strongly committed to reinforcing
economic and commercial ties between the
UAE and Azerbaijan. Bilateral trade between
Dubai and Azerbaijan reached AED 1.251
billion in 2015, consisting of imports worth
AED 39.34 million, exports at AED 271.28
million and re-exports adding up to AED
941.19 million. In the first quarter of this year
2016, Dubai-Azerbaijan foreign trade totaled
AED 151.91 million.
“The increasing expansion of our global
business portfolio at DP Word and PCFC is
primarily driven by the UAE's objectives to
diversify its national economy and boost its
sources of revenue ahead of the imminent
post-oil phase,” added Bin Sulayem.
The Alyat Free Trade Zone will occupy 20 sq
km once fully developed, with DP World
advising on its business plan, regulations
governing special economic zones and a
master plan for phase one of the project,
which spans 4 sq km.
FLS offers cold chain logistics solutions in Iraq
with temperature monitoring devices
Fleet Line Shipping Services LLC is currently
the only company in the UAE offering reefer
cargo door to door service to Iraq. As the
innovation-driven logistics company
understands how important it is to maintain
and monitor the required temperature in
reefer containers / trucks for perishable
items such as fruits, meat, medicine,
chemicals etc., temperature monitoring
devices (TMD) are provided to their
customers making sure that they have peace
of mind when it comes to logistical
week from Jebel Ali to Umm Qasir port, Iraq
and offers 20' and 40' reefer containers in
their fleet. Once the client contracts FLS on a
door to door basis, the containers will reach
the client's warehouse with a clip on gen-set.
After loading the cargo, FLS technician will fix
the TMD on a pallet / carton. Upon reaching
the same in Umm Qasir port, the company
will perform customs clearance and move
the cargo to its final destination either on the
same container or cross loading the cargo
into reefer trucks.
11 / Sep-Oct 2016

NAFL REVIEW
News & Updates
Jafza's automotive & spare parts
sector trade valued at $5 billion
Mohebi celebrate
85 years in
business
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World & Chairman
of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation
Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), Dubai and the
UAE's flagship trade and logistics hub for
the Middle East region including West Asia,
the CIS, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent
announced its participation in Automechanika
Frankfurt 2016 recently held in
Germany.
Jafza highlighted the Middle East and
Africa's rapidly growing automotive
markets at the international trade fair for
sector parts, equipment and service
suppliers. As the Middle East's trade and
logistics hub, Jafza seeks to attract more
auto industry majors into the Free Zone
interested in expanding their presence in
the region.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group
Chairman and CEO of DP World and
Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone
Corporation, said: “The automotive sector
in the Middle East and Africa (MEA)
continues to post impressive growth rates
with international brands keen to be a part
of this success by increasing their footprint
across the region. According to Frost &
Sullivan, total light vehicle sales in the
Middle East are estimated to reach 4.4
million by 2020 compared to 3.2 million in
2015.
“This provides major opportunities for
European multinationals in the auto sector
and we encourage other majors in Europe
to come to Jafza to take advantage. Jafza is
the only regional trade and logistics hub in
the world which is located between a
world-class seaport and an international
airport.”
Mr. Bin Sulayem added: “The dynamic
growth in the sector reflects the bright
prospects for the industry over the next few
years . The buoyant mood in the auto sector
in the GCC and MENA offer long-term
growth opportunities to Jafza based
companies as well as multinationals who
want to capitalise on the world's most
attractive auto industry market.”
Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi, Deputy CEO
and Chief Commercial Officer of Jafza, said:
“The automotive sector is one of the most
dynamic and innovation driven in Jafza. The
free zone is currently home to over 620
automotive companies which includes
global names such as Honda, Nissan, Ford,
GM, Daimler & Chrysler, Caterplllar, Mobis
and Schaeffler among others. Jafza
Automotive sector generated trade worth
$5 billion in 2015.”
According to firm Frost & Sullivan,the
number of vehicles on the roads in the
Middle east and North Africa is forecast to
rise to 44.5 million in 2020. This growth is
expected to drive demand for parts and
accessories with sales in 2020 projected to
reach $17.2 billion compared to $12.98
billion in 2015. Jafza is currently home to
over 7,000 businesses including more than
100 Global Fortune 500 enterprises.
Over three generations ago Baqer Mohebi
opened his first store in the old Dubai Souk
in 1931. He created jobs, invigorated the
local market and set the benchmark for a
family business that, with his son Zainal
Mohebi at the helm, has grown and
prospered alongside Dubai's own
evolution.
Today, as Zainal Mohebi Holdings (ZMH)
prepares to celebrate its 85th year in
business, CEO Mohammed Mohebi
continues this robust legacy with his team
and family. New facets are being added to
the business models, ensuring that Mohebi
remains a well-respected and forwardlooking
Emirati business enterprise.
F o r e m o s t a m o n g t h e s e a r e t h e
preparations of the new corporate
headquarters and warehouse facilities in
Dubai South that will bring the entire ZMH
family under one roof.
In parallel, the organization is implementing
a r e g i o n - w i d e M o h e b i L o g i s t i c s
educational program involving UAE
universities, academies and government
sectors. It will offer young UAE Nationals the
opportunity to gain a degree and work in the
fi e l d o f p r o d u c t l o g i s t i c s , w h i l e
understanding its challenges and
embracing its opportunities.
COO Phil Showering is spearheading the
initiative for Mohebi Logistics and explains
the practical aspects: “We're working with
various universities and academia to shape
a degree course in Export Logistics. This
will cover industry best practices, the
unique aspects of the GCC markets and the
integration with global markets. Internship
placement will be one of the core
modules.”
In addition, Mohebi Logistics, an affiliate of
the Zainal Mohebi Holdings, is due to move
i n t o t h e G r o u p ' s n e w c o r p o r a t e
headquarters and main warehouses in
D u b a i S o u t h b y 2 0 1 7 . T h i s n e w
development, doubling its storage capacity,
will make Mohebi Logistics one of the
largest FMCG Logistics companies in the
Middle East.
Sep-Oct 2016 / 12

News & Updates
GCC delivers on USD2 trillion megaprojects
with European best practices
NAFL REVIEW
Construction of
20 berths
planned at Port
of Fujairah
The ICC in The Netherlands features open interior plans and integrates nature
European best practices in mega-projects
are key for the GCC to deliver on its USD2
trillion project pipeline, industry experts
announced before Cityscape Global.
The GCC hosts a mega-project pipeline
worth USD2 trillion, especially in megaprojects
tied to Expo 2020 in Dubai, the
2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, and Saudi
Vision 2030 projects such as the King
Abdullah Financial District, according to a
recent survey by consultancy Deloitte.
“Increasingly, GCC planners and
developers are localizing best practices
from Europe to enhance the worker and
visitor experience,” said Santhosh Vallil for
the Middle East at Hunter Douglas, a
mega-project consultancy based in The
Netherlands.
“GCC mega-projects need to make a
signature statement. But they should also
place user needs at the center, with a
pedestrian scale of construction, open
plan interiors that can re-arranged for
different stakeholders, and links to nature
and sustainability,” added Santhosh Vallil.
In the GCC, Hunter Douglas has advised on
large-scale projects such as Masdar
Institute and Zayed Sports City in the UAE,
and the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Now, GCC planners are looking at the
success of the recently-opened International
Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague
in The Netherlands. The 56,000 square
meter complex employs 1,200 staff from
124 countries who prosecute people
allegedly involved in war crimes,
genocide, and crimes against humanity.
The six-building ICC complex maintains
safety, but is also open and transparent,
grand but with a sense of human
dimensions. In particular, the project has a
small footprint that integrates the dune
area on the edge of the city.
Inside, the ICC delivers a strong design
statement with a sophisticated, crisp, and
functional finish. Hunter Douglas
aluminium ceiling panels, which are
perforated and inlaid with acoustic mats,
cover 29,000 square meters of offices,
courtrooms, and public areas, which can
be partitioned for extra room. Supporting
sustainability, ICC offices are lit with
100,000 LED lamps that are integrated
into the ceiling panels. The panels also
provide a place for air quality and fire
safety installations to be tucked away.
Two new berths for fuel bunkering will
be constructed at the Port of Fujairah,
according to Chief Financial Officer
Khalil Ibrahim.Ibrahim added that the
construction is expected to cost
AED100 million.
He noted that this construction will
increase the number of oil berths to
20, with a total handling capacity of
some 100 million tonnes, equivalent
to about 750 million barrels of crude
oil and petroleum products per year.
Ibrahim told local media that these
new berths would assist the Port of
Fujairah to integrate its services, in
line with the rapid growth in the port,
especially in the oil berths' sector.
He further explained that the Port of
Fujairah receives more than 5,500
ships annually, in addition to visits by
more than this number of ships that
receive logistical services in the
anchorage area adjacent to the port.
Ibrahim added that in order to avoid
congestion in the harbour basin, the
Port of Fujairah is currently working to
establish a new port to receive small
ships, with an initial capacity of 150
small ships and locomotives at the
south of the current location of the
Port of Fujairah, at a cost of AED 220
million in the first construction
phase.There will be other stages, as
per requirements, while the opening
of this port is not expected for at least
one year, he said.
Ahmed Mahboob Musabih speaking at the conference
13/ Sep-Oct 2016

NAFL REVIEW
News & Updates
UAE among top 20 economies: Global
Competitiveness Report 2016
The UAE was ranked first regionally and
16th globally, maintaining its lead among
the top 20 competitive economies in the
world, according to the recent version of the
Global Competitiveness Report 2016 issued
by the World Economic Forum (Davos) in
Switzerland.
The report is one of the most important
global competitiveness reports, which
monitors annual performance and
competitiveness of the economies of
countries in terms of strength, weakness,
impact on quality of life, prosperity and wellbeing
of people.
The UAE positions itself on the world stage,
thanks to the efforts of the federal and local
taskforces who are working as one team
under one vision for 2021, and others in this
respect, said Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimi,
Minister of State for International
Cooperation and Chairperson of the Board
of the Federal Competitiveness and
Statistics Authority.
This year's report surveys the economies of
1 3 8 c o u n t r i e s r a t e d t h r o u g h 1 1 4
performance indexes and in 12 basic axes,
including institutions, infrastructure,
education, health, innovation, efficiency of
the labour market and other topics. The UAE
was ranked in the first 10 positions globally
in three basic themes in the report. It is also
among the best 20 countries globally in half
of these axes.It also came in fourth place
globally in the infrastructure hub.
At the level of indicators, the UAE was
ranked among the 20 countries globally in
76 out of 114 indicators evaluated in this
report. Regarding the institutions, the UAE
was ranked first globally in the absence of
the impact of crime and violence at work
index, and second place globally in the
people's trust in the leadership and lack of
wasteful government spending indexes.
The UAE was ranked third globally in the
efficient government index. This reflects the
success of the leadership strategy and
steps taken toward achieving the high
performance and efficiency in government
work at the federal and local levels to ensure
the happiness of citizens and residents and
well-being on the territory of the state.
On infrastructure, the UAE has won the first
place globally in the road quality index and
second place globally in the airport
infrastructure and means of air transport
quality index. It also came in third globally in
the seaport infrastructure quality and rate of
mobile phone subscriptions per 100 users
in indexes. The UAE was ranked in the fourth
place in the global index of quality of
infrastructure and fifth in the index of
number of airline seats available for each
million passengers a week. Furthermore,
the UAE was ranked first globally in the lack
of impact of taxes on investment index.
On the readiness of the technology sector,
the maturity of the business sector, and
higher education and training areas, the
UAE has achieved the first position globally
in the index of the government spending on
"new technologies" and the second place
globally in the index of provision of
specialised trade zones (free zones), and
the third place in the global index of foreign
direct investment and technology transfer
to the state. The state was also ranked
fourth globally in the index of the Internet
connection to the schools and fifth place in
the global index of availability of scientists
and engineers in the state.
Abu Dhabi Ports sign concession
agreement with Cosco Shipping
Abu Dhabi Ports (ADP) announced the signing
of a container terminal concession
agreement with Cosco Shipping Ports
Limited - Abu Dhabi (CSPL SPV), a whollyowned
subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Ports
Limited.Cosco Shipping Ports Limited is one
of the leading container terminal operators in
the world and a subsidiary of China Cosco
Shipping Corporation Limited.
The event was held in the presence of Dr.
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE Minister of
State and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports,
Zheng Chiping, Deputy Director of the foreign
investment department of the National
Development and Reform Commission of
PRC and Wan Min, President of China Cosco
Shipping Corporation Limited.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of
Abu Dhabi Ports and Zhang Wei, Vice
Chairman and Managing Director of Cosco
Shipping Ports Limited signed the
agreement, launching a new and prosperous
journey of Abu Dhabi Ports, in line with the
aspirations of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 for a
more diversified economy.
Cosco Shipping Ports Limited will operate a
container terminal with a draft depth of 18
metres, with 1200 metres of quay wall and
adjacent land. The first 800 metres of the
quay length (and the corresponding
concession area) is expected to commence
operations in H1 2018 and the last 400
metres (and the corresponding expanded
concession area) is expected to commence
operations in 2020. Once the expansion
areas are occupied, the concession area will
span an area of approximately 70 hectares
with three berths, which will add 2.4 million
TEUs a year to the port's existing capacity of
2.5 million.
The agreement includes the option for a
further 600 metre of quay length in the future
to allow for anticipated volume growth. With
this the nominal annual handling capacity
will increase to 3.5 million TEUs when all
phases are complete, creating a new overall
annual capacity of up to 6 million TEUs.
The global port operator giant is establishing
a joint venture company in 2016 to operate
the new Khalifa Port Container Terminal 2. As
per the agreement, the joint venture
company will be entitled concession rights of
Terminal 2 for a span of 35 years, with a
renewable period of 5 additional years. CSPL
SPV will have the controlling stake in the joint
venture company.
"The signing of the concession agreement
between Abu Dhabi Ports Company and
Cosco Shipping Ports Limited will
significantly expand trade between China,
the UAE and the broader region. It will greatly
enhance the UAE and Abu Dhabi's role as a
key logistics and trading hub, between East
and West and will also serve to further
diversify the UAE's dynamic and growing
economy," said Dr. Al Jaber.
Sep-Oct 2016 / 14

News & Updates
NAFL REVIEW
Export-orientation policy drives economic
transformation: DEC study
Export-orientation has been credited as a
successful development strategy leading to
economic transformation while sustained
export-oriented policies have been
associated with significant export
diversification, according to a working
paper on productivity of exporting firms in
Dubai in two economic zones, Dubai main
and free zones.
The paper also described how countries,
which initially remained confined to
exploiting the natural resources they were
endowed with, sought to avoid abrupt
sector-specific shocks by shifting towards
manufacturing. The export of manufactured
products was seen as non-traditional
export.
In fact, non-traditional exports are
characterized by higher income elasticity,
less volatile terms of trade, and higher
prospects of dynamic productivity gains,
said the paper prepared by the Economic
Policy & Research Center (EPRC), the
operational arm of Dubai Economic Council
(DEC).
Dubai has recently launched a far-reaching
development plan (the Dubai 2021
Development Plan). Among other things,
this plan is aimed at enhancing high
productivity through the promotion of the
'light manufacturing sector'. The received
wisdom about the role of manufacturing,
especially manufacturing exports, in
economic development should augur well
for this strategic objective of the Dubai
Trade promotion agencies bring substantial
returns, in terms of diversifying exports and
opening up export markets, as well as in
country branding and economic growth, says
a report published by the International Trade
Centre (ITC), a joint affiliate of the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations.
According to the report, every one dollar
spent on export promotion generates US$87
worth of additional exports and a $384
increase in gross domestic product (GDP).
ITC, a joint initiative of the WTO and the United
Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD), found in its research
that trade promotion organizations
contribute to a 5-6 percent rise in GDP per
capita and a 7-8 percent rise in exports,
development plan.
A more prominent role for manufacturing,
therefore, should entail higher productivity
growth and, hence, more stable and
sustainable growth. This has rightly been
the main policy concern for Dubai in view of
the increasingly volatile global economy,
which has substantially impacted the highly
open and largely service-oriented economy
of the Emirate. Moreover, though the
massive factor accumulation and superb
business environment have been enough to
allow Dubai to achieve one of the most
phenomenal economic transformations in
recent history, there is a wide consensus
that this growth model might have now
reached the point of diminishing returns.
Based on phone interviews with managers
or senior staff in 982 firms, the Dubai
enterprise level survey was designed to
cover a representative sample based on
eight industrial sectors (i.e. construction,
financial services, hotels and restaurants,
non-financial and social services, retail
trade, wholesale trade, transport, storage
and communication and manufacturing),
and two zones (i.e., Dubai main and Dubai
free zones).
Firms in FZs had a higher share of foreign
investment compared to their DM
counterparts with about 26 percent in the
FZs and 4.4 percent in DM. However, nonexporting
firms in FZs are attracting more
foreign investments relative to their
exporting counterparts in FZs (27.6 percent
through varied services covering financial
assistance, market intelligence, product
certification assistance, and in facilitating
participation in trade promotion events.
Commenting on the report, Sami Al Qamzi,
the Director-General of the Department of
Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, said
the emirate is uniquely placed to benefit from
sustained focus in trade and export
promotion.
"Dubai continues to evolve into a strategic
manufacturing, export and re-export hub.
The more that local firms realise their export
potential, and the more Dubai communicates
its advantages as a source market for diverse
products overseas, the more the outwardlooking
growth strategy of Dubai and the UAE
and 14.6 percent, respectively).
Firms in FZ are more capital intensive than
their DM counterparts (AED50,000 of
capital per worker in FZ against AED30,000
in the case of DM). Moreover, non-exporting
firms in FZ have more capital intensity than
exporting FZ firms, with AED56,500 per
worker in the former and AED37,500 per
worker in the latter).
According to the policy recommendations,
the focus of the 'light industry' initiative of
the Dubai 2021 Plan should target
enhancing productivity, since these
manufacturing firms are likely to be less
productive than other firms. In view of the
dominance of SMEs in the manufacturing
sector, the agenda for promoting 'light
manufacturing' should also be driven by
those related to the promotion of SMEs,
such as better access to finance and
registry of assets.
Global study underlines role of trade promotion
bodies in GDP growth
will have its desired results, including a
favourable balance of trade," Al Qamzi said.
Saed Al Awadhi, the CEO of Dubai Exports, the
export promotion agency of the DED, said the
role of trade promotion organisations in
driving growth has become more important
as the global trade environment becomes
more dynamic and volatile.
The top 10 markets for Dubai Exports in 2015
were India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman,
Singapore, Bahrain, USA, Turkey, Kuwait, and
Iraq.In 2016, the focus is on further
diversifying exports from Dubai to 15
countries, including China, India, Russia,
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, France, Hong
Kong, Vietnam, Nigeria, Rwanda, Brazil,
Paraguay, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, Al
Awadhi said.
15/ Sep-Oct 2016

Feature
NAFL REVIEW
EXPO 2020
Dubai reveals further details of legacy plan
The government's ambitious plans include transformation of the Expo's 4.38 sq km site into an
ecosystem that connects businesses in the transport and logistics, travel and tourism, real
estate and education sectors, in a bid to create a thriving knowledge-based economy
T
he site for Expo 2020 will be
transformed into an ecosystem
to encourage the growth of the
U A E ' s k n o w l e d g e - b a s e d
economy, according to plans unveiled during
the recent Cityscape Global in Dubai, UAE.
In a keynote speech, Marjan Faraidooni, Expo
2020's Vice President of Legacy, set out
ambitious plans to transform the Expo's 4.38
sq km site into an ecosystem that connects
businesses in the transport and logistics,
travel and tourism, real estate and education
sectors, in a bid to create a thriving
knowledge-based economy that contributes
to a diversified future for the UAE.
Faraidooni outlined the intentions for the
Expo, noting, "Our legacy plans are wide
ranging and ambitious. Our Expo will
continue to foster innovation, and to create
meaningful partnerships that will live beyond
2020 - not only for the UAE, but for the region
as a whole," she said.
Ms. Faraidooni added that plans call for Expo
2020 Dubai to target its investment to deliver
a long lasting legacy from the Expo site. "We
have spent the past year working on
developing our master plan, specifically to
create a platform for the future. Over 80 per
cent of our investments will be retained
following the event. This includes the
infrastructure, as well as the cutting edge
technologies, and the roads and public
transport systems put in place to host the
Expo. We intend to build on those physical
and virtual platforms to create an ecosystem
that lives through the legacy.”
'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'
Expo 2020 Dubai's theme is 'Connecting
Minds, Creating the Future'. The theme
represents the belief that progress happens
when people and ideas come together in new
ways. And this theme celebrates the power of
ideas, from anyone, to improve the lives of
everyone. This is the guiding principle that
lies behind all of Expo 2020's activities.
Expo's ecosystem strategy uses physical
proximity and an enabling environment to
create competitive advantages; most
importantly being the access to leading edge
skills and capabilities. Expo officials believe
that the merging of industries with related
technologies will create a centre of
excellence that draws in other related
companies, enabling wider collaborations
and innovations.
Additionally, Expo's legacy
planners have identified four high
priority strategic industries:
education, transport and logistics,
travel and tourism, and real
estate. These sectors form the
backbone of the current UAE
economy, and are industries that
have a major role to play in the
nation's ongoing economic
diversification.
As part of the legacy plan, Expo has explored
how technologies, including augmented
reality, big data and the internet of things,
could transform these industries. Expo has
also identified education and cultural
initiatives to complement the ecosystem
envisaged by Expo organizers.
Over AED5billionto be allocated to SMEs
Furthermore, Expo 2020 Dubai has
19 / Sep-Oct 2016

NAFL REVIEW Feature
Expo 2020 will be the first World
Expo to take place in the MEASA
(Middle East, Africa and South
Asia) region, consisting of 72
countries, with a combined
population of 2.8 billion people.
Located between East and West,
North and South, the UAE is wellplaced
for a major trading nation.
announced that 20 per cent of the Expo's
total direct and indirect spend, representing
more than Dh5 billion in contracts, will be
allocated to Small and Medium Enterprises
(SMEs), both local and international. The
landmark announcement is the latest in a
series of SME-focused operational and
legacy driven initiatives that have emerged
as the result of Expo 2020 Dubai's belief in
the important role that SMEs have to play in
contributing towards the effective and
innovative delivery of an exceptional World
Expo for both participants and visitors, as
Expo 2020's key facts & figures
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well as the UAE's wider diversification efforts.
Commenting on the announcement, His
Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori,
Minister of Economy and Chairman of the
UAE SME Council, said: “SMEs are already
playing a central role in the UAE's drive
towards cultivating a thriving private sector
and diversified economy, which makes SME
empowerment a strategic priority for the
Government. This effort is also aligned with
the UAE Vision 2021 to transition to a
knowledge-based economy that fosters
creativity and innovation.”
The minister also affirmed that the
Government's efforts are underpinned by
Federal Law No 2 of 2014 on Small and
Medium-Sized Enterprises and Projects,
which allocates a minimum of 10 percent of
all federal contracts to SMEs. The law also
stipulates that companies in which the
Federal Government owns a 25 percent stake
must contract local SMEs for at least 5
percent of their total purchasing, servicing
and consulting needs.
SMEs represent almost 94 percent of the
The Expo site covers a total of 4.38 square kilometres, including a
200 hectare gated area. It is located within the Dubai South District,
adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport.
Between its opening day on 20 October 2020 and its closing date on
10 April 2021, Expo is expected to be visited 25 million times.
70% of all visitors are expected to come from outside the UAE - the
largest proportion of international visitors in Expo history.
The government aims to create and deliver an inclusive and global
Expo with over 200 participants that include nations, multilateral
organisations, corporates and educational institutions.
Expo2020 also has an ambitious volunteer program, which aims to
include more than 30,000 volunteers from a wide range of ages.
total number of companies operating in the
UAE, with 400,000 SMEs contributing 60 per
cent to the nation's GDP – a figure that is
expected to increase to 70 per cent by 2021.
According to Her Excellency Reem Al
Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for
International Cooperation and Director
General Bureau Expo Dubai 2020: “Expo
2020 Dubai acts as an enabler for SMEs and
is constantly looking for opportunities to
maximise their integration into the wider UAE
economy. This is evident in the strong activity
on our e-Sourcing Portal, where of the 6,196
suppliers registered, 2,418 are SMEs, and of
the 787 contracts already awarded, 320 have
been won by SMEs.
The integration of SMEs into the delivery of
Expo 2020 Dubai is set to continue to
stimulate employment, strengthen existing
industries, improve SME competitiveness
and ultimately contribute to sustainable
economic growth. This will be an important
part of Expo 2020 Dubai's legacy for the UAE
and wider region.”
With the number of opportunities available
for SMEs set to increase as a direct result of
this initiative, all interested vendors and
suppliers are encouraged to register on the
Expo 2020 Dubai eSourcing portal
[https://esource.expo2020dubai.ae]. The
portal serves as the primary gateway to the
vast majority of Expo 2020 Dubai
procurement operations. In addition to
announcing upcoming tenders, the portal
also details awarded packages relating to
both goods and services, providing further
possibilities for integration into the supply
chain through indirect procurement and
collaboration.
The procurement process has also been
modified to allow SMEs to bid more
competitively, including a proposal validity of
60 days, no tender bonds required, no
advanced payment guarantee required, 50
p e r c e n t a d v a n c e d p a y m e n t f o r
goods/materials, 25per cent advanced
payment for services, and a commitment to
30 days' payment from receipt of an
approved invoice.
Sep-Oct 2016 / 20

NAFL REVIEW Feature
Al Sharqi Shipping
defies odds in turbulent times
Dubai's family-owned businesses continue to carve a niche in logistics
industry. It believes tough times also bring along great opportunities for
businesses to grow exponentially.
T
he shipping business may seem
to be in crisis, especially with
Hanjin Shipping, a South Korean
container line, recently filing for
bankruptcy and leaving 66 ships loaded with
goods worth $14.5 billion stranded at sea.
Moreover, 11 of the 12 biggest shipping
companies have announced huge losses for
the past quarter. Experts warn that the
industry may face losses of as much as $10
billion this year on revenues of $170 billion.
Despite the bleak outlook for the global
industry, Dubai has been defying the odds and
investing to further improve its infrastructure
to be always ahead of competition. With the
government's investor-friendly policies and
support for small and medium-sized
enterprises, a lot of home-grown companies
have managed to grow beyond their
boundaries and found themselves in direct
competition with even centuries-old global
players.
Established in August 1989 through the vision
and efforts of Muhammed Rafiq, Al Sharqi
Sep-Oct 2016 / 06
Shipping today spans multiple continents
including Asia and Africa. The growth over the
years that has spurned such a success is a
testament to the attributes of the company's
motto: “Helping you grow; Helping our
customers grow; Helping our staff grow;
Helping our shareholders grow; and helping
the community which we are part of grow”.
Currently, the innovative logistics service
provider offers customs clearance, freight
forwarding and other logistics services,
including onward transportation of goods
from ports in Sharjah and Jebel Ali throughout
the UAE, where it has a fleet of 18 trucks, three
side loaders and 48 trailers. Alongside its
offices in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, the company
has subsidiaries in Pakistan and in Tanzania.
Interestingly, Al Sharqi Shipping also boasts
one of the best customer retention rates in the
market with many of their customers with
them since their humble beginnings. With the
trust of their customers, the company has
expanded its range of services to include all
aspects of Supply chain.
Growth even during crises
Al Sharqi Shipping's office in Bur Dubai
buzzes with action and the positive energy is
easily felt with the first step into the office's
open-space environment. As NAFL Review
team recently paid a visit to find out more
about the reasons behind the family-owned
company's success, the young and energetic
Business Development Director Atif Rafiq
explained that they are not deterred by the
tough market conditions and strongly believes
that these are the best times in which to make
investments.
“Al Sharqi was borne out of necessity. Our
father, Muhammed Rafiq, arrived in the UAE in
1974 and worked for a rival firm until 1989
when a recession hit and he lost his job. At that
time, he had two options - either go back to his
hometown or to stay in the country and set up
on his own back.”
Then, Mr Rafiq had decided to hold on and set
up his own business, which continues to grow
until today. The company has survived several
recessions since, and is still making

Feature
NAFL REVIEW
investments in tough times. Be it Assets
acquisitions or IT infrastructure, the two areas
the management has been paying a lot of
attention to.
“We have always bought the most number of
trucks when there was a recession. In 2009,
when the whole market was going down, we
were buying trucks because prices were
cheaper,” remarked Kashif Rafiq, the
company's CEO and Atif's elder brother.
Utilizing technology at all levels
Kashif is currently overseeing the installation
of a new, US$60,000 enterprise resource
planning (ERP) software system from the USbased
Provider, which the company plans to
use as part of an ongoing drive to digitize most
of its activities and provide customers with
real-time information over deliveries.
“The whole industry is changing. For example,
we are providing all of our drivers with a tablet
and a printer, which is never heard of in the
region because these are all blue collar
workers that are not highly-educated people
infact they actually do not even know how to
use a smartphone. But, we found out that
once you trust and give them certain
privileges like take your device home and
play, they feel motivated and start exploring,
discovering and finally working from it,”
added Atif Rafiq.
The tablets provided to the drivers are used
for a range of tasks from producing delivery
notes and securing signatures to dealing with
problems remotely over deliveries or vehicles.
The drivers also use various applications such
as Google Talk, WhatsApp and Workspace
from Facebook. In case an issue arises with a
delivery, the driver immediately takes a
picture of the problem and sends to the head
office. Thus, the head office does not need to
dispatch a guy all the way just to inspect the
truck or container. This has proven to be time
and cost-saving for the company.
“If a lorry breaks down, they can transmit the
details of the problem over one of the popular
applications. We have a mechanic who can
see what is happening and can troubleshoot
on the spot,” explained Atif Rafiq.
The company has grown from a handful of
clients for whom Muhammed Rafiq used to
work at the old Burdubai port into a company
with offices in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman,
Faisalabad, Karachi and Dar es Salaam.
“From a small office in Burdubai
with one chair and a secretary, we
are now in three countries with Six
offices and a workforce of 100-
plus,” said Atif. Three younger
siblings, Asif Rafiq, 25, Wasif
Rafiq, 24, and Sadaf Rafiq, 22, also
work at the firm and are at various
stages of completing the two-year
rotational training program aimed
at ensuring they completely
understand the business after
graduating from Canada .
The company managed to double its sales
figures each year from 2010 to 2014, before
consolidating in 2015, when turnover was flat.
But, the company has made it to the list of
SME100 – a biennial ranking of Dubai's fastgrowing
companies organized by the
Government's Department of Economic
Development – at number 83.
Al Sharqi Shipping also believes there are
further opportunities in Africa. Kashif
underlined that although the continent is
known more by its unique challenges, many
of these issues were also faced in the region
years ago like couple of years ago in Pakistan
and a decade ago in UAE. “Africa is all about
manual paperwork and is tribal. To be honest,
it is about who you know. We think our
experience can give us an edge in the
continent.”
Enhancing efficiency with Facebook
Keeping up with the latest trends, the
management of Al Sharqi Shipping has
revealed that it is testing out a new platform to
connect its staff using Facebook at Work.
“We rolled it out to all different companies in
the group across different locations in a bid to
overcome internal communication
challenges. Emails are almost archaic in this
day and age. It's becoming an increasingly
less effective method of communication in a
digitalized age of collaboration,” Kashif
explained.
The company wanted to try and utilize a
platform that allows team members to
communicate, discuss and solve problems
faster and more efficiently while significantly
reducing the volume of emails per day.
The beta testing of the platform has been
positive. Just like regular Facebook users, Al
Sharqi users can like, share and comment on
posts in real time, something one can't do
effectively via email and organization-wide.
“It has also allowed all our staff from Asia,
Middle East and Africa to feel closer, across
different companies in the group. Now
everyone can see what is happening across
all offices, work collaboratively and
effectively,” Atif added.
“Facebook at Work advantages include user's
familiarity with the platform and the ability to
work from anywhere, including through the
mobile app. Additionally, Facebook's built-in
security meet most of the department's
needs, and the platform scales easily,” he
remarked.
Awards and Recognition
Al Sharqi Shipping has been receiving awards
and recognitions since 2009, both from its
peer and very recently from Dubai Economic
Department for its Dubai SME 100.
Last summer, Al Sharqi Shipping was
recognized again as a top CMA CGM customer
for the year 2015 with this year marking their
third consecutive win with CMA CGM line. The
award was presented by Santosh Devasper,
CMA CGM commercial manager and Manoj
Kumar, CMA CGM export trade manager to Al
Sharqi Shipping at their head office.
Also in the first quarter of this year, Al Sharqi
Shipping was awarded Platinum Award 2015
for the fourth time in a row by Maersk line,
solidifying its strong positions as regional
player in logistics.
“To be considered among the top supporters
of two of the World largest Multinational
Ocean Liners is a great honour,” said Asif
Rafiq, Operational Manager of Al Sharqi
Shipping.
“Maersk Line & CMA CGM is crucial to our SLA
with customers and we look forward to
continuously working together to deliver
quality service together.
Furthermore, Al Sharqi Shipping has also been
honored by NYK for its contributions to cold
chain logistics for 2015-2016.
07 / Sep-Oct 2016

NAFL REVIEW Feature
Pharma community
must work closely
with regulators
The global pharmaceuticals market, estimated to be worth
USD1.1 trillion a year globally, will surely benefit more from
harmonized regulations reveals the Cool Chain Association (CCA)
T
he cool chain community must
work closely with regulators to
ensure the global pharma
market, estimated to be worth
USD1.1 trillion a year globally, benefits from
harmonized regulations, delegates at the
Cool Chain Association (CCA)'s Pharma and
Biosciences Conference 2016 heard in
Dubai, UAE.
A more unified approach is needed by
pharma supply chain providers to address
the evolving needs of the cool chain shipper
and help to combat annual losses of up to
USD35 billion resulting from wasted
pharmaceutical product temperature
excursions.
“Temperature controlled logistics is
expected to grow by nine percent every year,
leading to a global cool chain industry worth
around USD16.7 billion by 2020,” said
Sebastiaan Scholte, Chairman, CCA.
“However, the patchwork of regulations
around the world, as well as the huge amount
of data being collected as we process
pharma goods, means we have to navigate a
highly complex system.
“Open dialogue between industry and
regulators is vital to ensure every voice in the
cool chain is heard to help us achieve a
slicker, more transparent supply chain that
m e e t s t h e e v o l v i n g n e e d s o f t h e
pharmaceutical marketplace.”
Significant changes in the industry
Delegates at the two-day CCA event, which
brought together over 140 experts from all
sectors of the global pharma supply chain,
heard that the industry had seen significant
changes over the last decade.
A wave of new regulations has spurred the
launch of initiatives such as the International
Air Transport Association's (IATA)'s Center of
Excellence for Independent Validators in
Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma)
accreditation scheme, and focused the
attention of airports on building specialised
pharma zones.
Therese Puetz, Chief Executive Officer,
Karavan Management Consulting, told the
conference the cool chain “toolbox” had also
seen great advancements, such as unit load
devices (ULD)s with rechargeable batteries,
improved covers for protecting temperaturesensitive
cargo, and real-time global
tracking, as well as the use of nearfield
comm-unications (NFC) to better monitor
and protect pharmaceutical products.
She also pointed to halal pharma as a
growing and important market. The smart
cool chain is the next innovation and this is
where the tailoring will happen, she said.
“It is about making use of this enriched tool
box, which has really grown over the years,
driven by regulations and competition,” said
Edwin Kalischnig, Secretary
General, Cool Chain Association
said that shippers should be more
active in supporting companies
that make the right choices and
do the right investment
Sep-Oct 2016 / 16

Feature
NAFL REVIEW
living in a period of great change and it is
more important now than ever before that all
voices of the cool chain community are
heard.
"Parties should embrace and introduce
technology to create real transparency.
Shippers should be more active in supporting
companies that make the right choices and
do the right investment. That is the only way
to show that these investments pay off,
which is not clear today.”
The next CCA event is the Cool Chain
Association Pharma and Perishables Event in
Dallas, Texas, USA from 5-6 December 2016.
Puetz.
But better communication is needed with the
shipper, including ensuring a clearer
understanding of the implication of initiatives
such as the Good Distribution Practice (GDP)
guidelines and IATA's CEIV programme,
which are a “step in the right direction”
towards global harmony, Bert Allard
Jorritsma, Manager Special Cargo &
Services Delivery, Emirates SkyCargo, told
delegates.
“Good pharma logistics is more than just
specialist handling equipment and
warehousing – we as an industry need to
align,” he said.
“We have so many handover points for the
GDP, for example, and a large amount of
complex data created from these handovers,
but we have no clear solution as to how this
data is able to help us and help the customer
get what they need. The industry must work
closely with regulators to ensure that any
new legislation does not elongate the timecritical
cool chain process.”
“The CCA could work together with The
International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) to
hold closed door sessions with regulators to
address supply chain issues. One solution
they could consider is the creation of a
Sebastiaan Scholte, Chairman of
the Cool Chain Association, said
that industry must work closely
with regulators so to ensure that
any new legislation does not
elongate the time-critical cool
chain process
Sebastiaan Scholte, Chairman of the Cool Chain Association
database that includes a quality trademark
that rates all air cargo services at airports, to
help shippers gain full visibility.”
Emirates SkyCargo's new facility
Delegates at the CCA event were also invited
by Emirates SkyCargo to a tour of their new
SkyPharma cool storage facility at Dubai
International Airport, which opened for
business recently.
The 11,000-sqm facility is run in conjunction
with Emirates SkyCentral Dubai World
Central (DWC), the carrier's freighter hub in
DWC, which offers
4,600 sq m of area
d e d i c a t e d f o r
pharmaceutical
cargo.
“The CCA holds at
least two events
each year and is
t h e p e r f e c t
opportunity for all
segments of the
c o o l c h a i n
industry to come
t o g e t h e r a n d
debate the issues
that matter,” said
Edwin Kalischnig,
Secretary General,
CCA.
“With so many
new regulations
coming into force,
a s w e l l a s
advancements in
technology and
changing market
demands, we are
The cool chain “toolbox” had also
seen great advancements, such
as unit load devices (ULD)s with
rechargeable batteries, improved
covers for protecting temperature-sensitive
cargo, and realtime
global tracking, as well as
the use of nearfield communications
(NFC) to better monitor
and protect pharmaceutical
products
17 / Sep-Oct 2016

Travel
NAFL REVIEW
At the dawn of peace,
Sri Lanka
opens up as a potpourri of diversity
ucked in the Indian Ocean near the southern tip of India, the
Tpearl-shaped island-nation of Sri Lanka is perhaps best
summed up as a potpourri of diversity.
Known as Ceylon until 1972, Sri Lanka is home to a multitude of races
and cultures and a diversified natural environment that will amaze
even the most discerning travelers.
With nearly 1,600-kilometer long palm fringed coastline with scenic
sandbars, Sri Lanka offers some of the best beaches in the world, ideal
for windsurfing, kayaking, yachting, water skiing, scuba diving or just
bumming around in an idyllic location.
The Arugam Bay is among the most popular of its beaches but other
sites are slowly being discovered as the nation opens up for more
opportunities after decades-long bloody civil war that led to the deaths
of up to 100,000 people between 1982-2009.
Believed to be the place where the original soul of Buddhism
flourished, Sri Lanka is known for its eclectic mix of people, unspoiled
natural beauty, magnificent beaches, eight UNESCO World Heritage
Sites, 15 national parks showcasing an abundant wildlife that includes
elephants, leopards and more, and nearly 500,000 acres of lush tea
estates.
Indeed, at the dawn of peace, Sri Lanka is once again enchanting
travelers.
Amazing Diversity
Though small in size, Sri Lanka boasts of many amazing places to see
and things to experience and explore.
Here you will find elephants, sloth bear, leopards, sambar and wild
buffaloes. It also boasts of the red slender Loris, Toque Macaque, and
Purple-faced Langur, who according to IUCN clarifications are
endangered due to habitat loss.
The ocean around Sri Lanka is home to large families of cetaceans,
including the mighty blue whales, sperm whales and lively dolphins,
making it one of the best locations to visit.
Here you will find
elephants, sloth bear,
leopards, sambar and
wild buffaloes. It also
boasts of the red
slender Loris, Toque
Macaque, and Purplefaced
Langur, who
according to IUCN
clarifications are
endangered due to
habitat loss.

NAFL REVIEW Travel
For bird enthusiasts, the country offers
plenty with 433 bird species, including 20
endemic ones.
Its hinterlands are filled with picturesque
view of lush green tea gardens, some are
world renowned for their flavors.
Its mountains are covered with lush tropical
forests, some with treasured heritage like
ancient palaces and giant statues of
Buddha. Further north are colorful ancient
Hindu temples.
Charming Colombo
Colombo, the business capital of Sri Lanka
is now teeming with high-end hotels and
casinos largely funded by Chinese
investors, proof of its reinvigorated tourismled
economy.
With more than 3 million Sri Lankans who
work overseas, including some 300,000 in
the UAE, who collectively remit about $1
billion annually to the country's economy,
Colombo also exudes modernity blended
with its ancient colonial past.
Here you will find Ganesha Kovil, the oldest
and largest Hindu temple in town and the
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, revered
among Buddhists all over the world seeking
comfort and solutions for their health and
other troubles as well as Sri Lankan monks
seeking wisdom and further learning.
Monks at this temple are friendly and willing
to talk to strangers. They may even gift you
with a blessed Buddha beads for good luck
if you ask for one.
Colombo is also home to a number of
museums and historical sites dotted across
its neighborhoods made of mostly Colonial
buildings.
Some places worth seeing are the Old
Parliament Building at Galle Face Green, the
1950's Lighthouse overlooking Colombo,
the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct where
one can buy some of the best souvenirs and
explore nearby shops.
Head to the busy Pettah Open Market where
the Dutch Period Museum is also located if
you want some cheap souvenirs. Here, you
will have the chance to see a variety of local
goods sold from all sorts of merchants at a
fraction of what you would pay for them at
high-end stores.
While in Colombo, don't forget to stop by at
Ape Gama, Sri Lanka's traditional folklore
center and crafts village. Here, you can also
find good souvenirs, including brass bells
and other art pieces, for reasonable prices.
Sri Lankan flavors won't disappoint you
either. Though generally spicy, its cuisines
with rich natural flavors are worth trying.
Sep-Oct 2016 / 22
Unwind - UAE
Dusit Thani's Benjarong
Restaurant
If you're craving for that authentic
Royal Thai cuisine, complimented with
a view of Dubai's ultra-modern skyline
from the 24th floor vantage point with
the delicate and exotic Thai interior,
Benjarong Restaurant, the awardwinning
signature restaurant of Dusit
Thani Hotel, offers you both and more.
The restaurant's majestic interior
resembles the royal dining halls of King
Rama IV, with the gentle sounds of
classically trained Thai musicians
adding to the authenticity to your fine
dining experience. Call 04 343 3333 for
reservations.

Events
NAFL REVIEW
Dubai Customs shares AEO implementation
experience at global conference
Ahmed Mahboob Musabih taking part at one of the conference's leading panel sessions
A high profile delegation from Dubai
Customs took part in the WCO 3rd Global
AEO Conference, held in Cancun, Mexico.
Dubai Customs Director, Ahmed Mahboob
Musabih, was a panellist on the first day
plenary session of the conference
presenting the UAE's state-of-the-art
Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
program of which Dubai is the pilot. The
Executive Director of Clients Management
Division, Abdullah Al Khaja and Director of
Customs Declaration Management, Eman
Bader Al Suwaidi were also present
among Dubai Customs' delegates.
Dubai Customs has concluded the design
of the first pilot launch phase for the AEO
Program in a bid to achieve the fully
operational state by mid-2016 in
accordance with the SAFE Framework of
Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global
Trade, which is globally recognized as the
(SAFE Framework).
Dubai Customs AEO Program team have
already handpicked a group of companies
to be the cornerstone in gauging the
program's readiness and to ensure
compatibility and full compliance with the
WCO's AEO enrolment criteria prior to its
fully operational launch nationwide in the
nearby future.
“It is of our core management values to
adopt, integrate and implement the
world's first class best practices for the
best interest of Customs work and trade
facilitation. Dubai Customs has opted for
walking the extra mile in implementing
the AEO Program for the sake of forging
and cultivating on broader strategic
partnerships that would help boost and
smoothen the flow of global legitimate
trade. Such partnerships will be realized
through Mutual Recognition Agreements
(MRAs) among AEO Program adopting
countries and partners of the global
supply chain,” said Ahmed Mahboob
Musabih, while speaking at the panel.
“The AEO program functionally enhances
our ability to predict and envision the
global trade supply chain for many years
to come, thus empowering us with a
greater proactiveness in managing and
planning logistics. The program also helps
in reducing document and shipments
controls, which significantly adds up to
our capacity to handling the colossal and
diversified amounts of goods and
c o m m e r c i a l
transactions
coming in to
Dubai via air,
land and sea
ports.”
Dubai Customs
Director also
highlighted that
upon the full
implementation
o f t h e A E O
P r o g r a m ,
q u a l i fi e d
companies will
be entitled to a
wide array of
b e n e fi t s ,
especially in
t h e e a s e o f
accessibility to
global markets
at large and to
countries that
have entered in
MRAs with the
UAE.
Under the theme “The Evolution of
Security in Global Trade: Great partners,
Innovative technology and Smart
practices ”, the event brought together a
congregation of 1,100 participants form
75 countries and international entities
representing Customs administrations
and authorities, business leaders and
academics.
Ahmed Mahboob Musabih speaking at the conference
23 / Sep-Oct 2016

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS
Executive Movements
NAFL REVIEW
Hawk Freight Logistics: New promotions have been
announced by the management
In line with the company's vision of growth
and expansion, new promotions have been
announced by the manage-ment. Mr. Bob
Puri, CEO of Hawk Freight Services,
announced the promotions of Mr. Baburaj
Vakiyal as Chief Operating Officer (COO)
and Mr. Zaheer Qaiser as Chief Financial
Officer (CFO). Mr. Baburaj Vakiyal will be
heading Hawk Freight Services, Dubai
a f t e r d e p a r t u r e o f M r. C h a n a k a
Malalasekera.
Zaheer Qaiser
Formed in 1987 and part of the growing
Hawk Group, Hawk Freight Logistics is a
specialized service provider. HFL has been
consistently supplying innovative and
comprehensive logistics solutions to a
worldwide client base from its offices in
London and Dubai.
Hawk grew from an expertise in the Far
East region. In this region, the company
has an unrivalled ability to help its
customers facilate the efficient
transportation of goods. The Hawk Group
of Companies provide specialist support to
its customers where appropriate from
sourcing and procurement through air, sea
Baburaj Vakiyal
or land freight through a specific courier
service in the UK in the form of SAS
Logistics. A pro-active, hands-on Board of
Directors get fully involved in ensuring the
company is always customer-focused and
service-oriented.
NAFL REVIEW
Smart Inputs for Smart People
Your reliable source of Information in freight and logistics
Let the industry know your
Achievements & Milestones
For Press Releases, Executive Moments
and Career Opportunities
E-mail: editorial@7dimensionsmedia.com
For advertising opportunities, please get in touch with
Israr Ahmad at: +971 06 5579 579
E-mail: israr@7dimensionsmedia.com
The National Association
of Freight and Logistics
Tel.: +971 6 55 79579|Fax: +971 6 55 79569 PO Box: 9604
SAIF Zone, Sharjah, UAE | www.7dimensionsmedia.com
25 / Sep-Oct 2016

NAFL REVIEW
Technology
Cool gADGETS to try
They look fancy and offer quick solutions for our everyday needs. Here are some of
the latest smart gadgets in the market worth taking a look.
Steam Fast Iron
It's super small, about the size of a mouse, and
comes very handy if you want unwrinkled
clothes for an on-the-go conference or a
business meeting.
Powered with a 420-watt motor and fabric
heating levels, the Steam Fast Iron is perfect for
the business travelers who are constantly on the
road yet want to keep that polished corporate
look.
LuminAID PackLite 16
Ready for your next outdoor adventure? Don't forget to bring the new and improved
version of the LuminAID solar light.
After 7-10 hours of charging in the sun, the innovative LuminAID PackLite 16 will
produce 30 hours of LED light with four different brightness settings. It's portable,
waterproof and best of all light.
Tile Slim
Constantly troubled finding your wallet, mobile phone, purse or anything
else that you always forget? Tile Slim can help you. This gadget as thin
as two credit cards easily slides into your wallet, purse or pocket so you
can find them.
Double press the button on your Tile Slim to make your missing phone
ring. What's more it has a free Tile app that remembers the last time and
place you saw your Tile so it's easy to track down.
Pebble Smart Watch for iPhone and
Android Devices
Compatible with both Apple (iOS 6 and higher) and Android devices (OS 4.0 and higher), this
wearable gadget can help you view notifications from email, SMS, Caller ID, calendar and your
favorite apps on your wrist.
Use it to control music playing on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora and more. Includes Pebble timeline, a
chronological display of calendar and notifications with a rechargeable battery that lasts 5-7 days on
a single charge.
Sep-Oct 2016 / 26

Technology
NAFL REVIEW
goTenna
You're in an emergency situation and
there's no cellular service. No problem. You
can still send message with this pocketsized
two-way radio and antenna that uses
Bluetooth-LE to pair with an android or iOS
devices.
The technology in this gadget allows users
to share message and location into
instantly within a 50-mile range.
Lightweight, weatherproof and so easy to
use.
NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto
If you're a coffee junkie, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto
could be your perfect companion. This portable
coffee-maker delivers a flavorful coffee anywhere
you go to give you that kick to keep going when you
needed it.
With stylish machine designs, easy-to-use pods
and an array of delicious flavours, this is a fun,
convenient way to make great tasting coffee at
home or anywhere. However you like it. Whenever
you want it.
More robots to be tapped in logistics
Machines and robots have long been part of
the chain process in the manufacturing
industry. But more of them are going to
invade factories and even logistics as
companies aim to speed up their operations
and implore workplace safety at lesser
costs.
A Frost & Sullivan report prepared in
collaboration with GITEX Technology week
noted about 25.4 million mobile robots may
be utilized by 2020 from only 4 million in
2012 in terms of personal and household
uses.
The report identified logistics
as the industr y that will
particularly use robots with
unit shipments of logisticsrelated
robotics estimated to
increase from 1,400 in 2012
to 95,000 in 2020.
Paul Clarke, CTO at the UK-based Ocado,
the world's largest online-only grocery retailer, said as robots get smarter with advances in
artificial intelligence or AI and know more about the world through access to the Internet of
Things and Big Data, they can become more adaptable to the environments they inhabit.
Companies are already building prototypes for special robots to suit their particular needs.
For instance, there are now robots that can sort, do inventory and move items to the
shipping area.
The idea is to develop robots that can perform functions that used to be the responsibilities
of humans.
27 / Sep-Oct 2016

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS
Remember to mark the industry's top events in your calendar. NAFL will also be attending select events
and looks forward to meeting you there.
FIATA World Congress
3-8 October 2016
Dublin, Ireland
www.fiata2016.org
Breakbulk Middle East
23-26 October 2016
Abu Dhabi, UAE
www.breakbulk.com
The Leaders in Logistics
Summit
8 Nov. 2016 Dubai, UAE
www.arabiansupplychain.com/
conference
The Freight Summit
9-12 October 2016
Bali, Indonesia
www.thefreightsummit.com
Global Trade Development
Week
31 Oct-2 Nov 2016
Dubai, UAE
www.kwglobaltrade.com
Gulfood Manufacturing
7-9 November 2016
Dubai, UAE
www.gulfoodmanufacturing.com
Safety in Logistics
Conference
12 October 2016
London, UK
www.fta.co.uk/events
GITEX Technology Week
16-20 October 2016
Dubai, UAE
http://www.gitex.com
Seatrade Maritime Middle
East
31 Oct - 2 Nov 2016
Dubai, UAE www.seatra
demaritimeevents.com
Gulfood Manufacturing
7-9 November 2016
Dubai, 2016
www.gulfoodmanufacturing.c
om
Big5
21-24 November 2016
Dubai, UAE
https://www.thebig5.ae
BioPharma Asia Convention
2017
21-23 March 2017
Singapore www.terra
pinn.com/exhibition/bio-asia
Sep-Oct 2016 / 28

NationalAssociationofFreightandLogistics
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FIATA World Congress 2016
October 03-08, 2016 l Convention Centre Dublin, Ireland

FLAG DAY
NAFL JOINS UAE FLAG DAY
Officials and members of the National Association of Freight and
Logistics (NAFL) took a break from their busy schedule on
November 3 to celebrate the UAE Flag Day, which marks the
anniversary of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al
Nahyan's assumption of office as the country's leader.
Ms. Nadia Abdul Azziz, NAFL president, led the group in hoisting the
UAE flag at their office along Sheikh Zayed Road.
She said the occasion is an opportune time for everyone in the UAE
to honor the rulers who sacrificed so much to unite the seven
emirates, create jobs and a robust economy as well as keeping the
country safe.
“The UAE is home to people from than 200 countries who live in
unity. This occasion is about getting all the people to join and
celebrate what our rulers did to keep our country safe and create an
economy that everyone can benefit from,” she said.
Eng. Majid Barzanji, chairman of the Mateen Express & Logistics
and NAFL board member who chairs the air freight committee, said
the UAE Flag Day is a time for all residents, regardless of their race,
to express thanks to their host country and its rulers.
“I wish to congratulate the UAE and its leaders and I wish the
country one success to another success,” said Barzanji, an Iraqi
national who has been living in the UAE for 18 years now. “This is a
happy day for us and we're celebrating this with our kids.”
During the celebration, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of
Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
raised the UAE flag on a 12-meter pole in Zabeel Park in the
presence of more than 20,000 school students, representing
almost 120 different nationalities residing in the UAE.

Going beyond the distance to
help you reach your goals.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS
As the first national association
of freight forwarders in the
Arabian Gulf, NAFL works hand
in hand with FIATA since 1992. It
p r o m o t e s i n t e r n a t i o n a l
logistics-centered conferences
for members' learning and
networking opportunities.
Here's why you should consider being a member:
Interna onal Benefits:
· The FIATA membership cer ficate
· Use of the FIATA logo
· Entry in the FIATA members directory and
networking
· Adver sing in the FIATA members directory,
review and informa on (FIATA e-Flash)
· Special rates for FIATA publica ons and ar cles
· Access to secretariat's assistance
· FIATA Arbitra on Code
Na onal Benefits:
· NAFL membership cer ficate
· Use of NAFL logo
· Free access to networking events
· Discounted rates in par cipa ng to global and regional
conferences
· Assistance in case of trouble
· Discounts for cargo/logis c events and exhibi on stands
· Discounted training for NAFL members
· Training/cer fica on interna onal and regional
· Insurance at discounted rates (cargo, liability and medical)
· Complimentary legal services and marke ng trainings
· Discounted supplier rates for industry products
NationalAssociationofFreightandLogistics
National Association of Freight and Logistics-NAFL, P.O.Box 60944, Dubai, United Arab Emirates,
Visit us at: www.nafl.ae, Tel: +971 4 343 1112