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Since establishment, DMCA has
brought about a radical change in
the local maritime sector. Can you
give us an overview about how did
DMCA achieve that?
By following a consistent framework
and remaining true to key
strategic measures built for Dubai,
primarily the Dubai Maritime Sector
Strategy (MSS), we implement activities
that serve, develop and promote
the local maritime community,
aimed at transforming Dubai into a
world-class and globally competitive
international maritime hub. We also
ensure that other maritime components
such as the Dubai logistics
strategy, the Dubai industrial strategy
(maritime sector), and maritime
safety policy are in line with these
efforts.
Our efforts have been paying off.
According to a recent international
survey conducted by Menon Business
Economics Group, the globally
renowned organization for benchmarking
leading maritime capitals
of the world, Dubai progressed confidently
from 13th place in 2015 to
10th among the “Overall Leading
Maritime Capitals of the World for
the Year 2017”. The same report also
revealed that Dubai was among the
top five in terms of attractiveness
and competitiveness and 10th overall
in all aspects of the maritime sector.
How does DMCA reaffirm Dubai’s
position as a first-class international
maritime hub?
At DMCA, we always look for strategic
avenues to boost Dubai’s status
as a first-class maritime hub on
the global stage. For instance, the
“Maritime Dubai,” our one-of-its-kind
maritime initiative under the supervision
of Dubai Maritime Cluster Office
(DMCO), is geared towards sustaining
DMCA’s exceptional achievements to
pave the way for a new era of excellence
and boost Dubai’s competitiveness
to make it a prominent global
hub for world trade. The initiative has
laid down a comprehensive maritime
policy framework to activate coordination
among all stakeholders, in
addition to including under one umbrella
all key maritime cluster such as
shipping, harbors, berths, logistics,
maritime arbitration, maritime classification,
maritime licensing, financing
and training and policymaking.
Can you elaborate more about
DMCA’s plan to develop worldclass
regulations and guidelines?
In response to the directives of
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid
Al Maktoum, Vice President and
Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler
of Dubai, we consistently work closely
with all stakeholders and partners
to craft effective and well-balanced
regulations to establish clear industry
foundations and promote productivity
and competitiveness. Our
objectives are to attract regional and
international investors and ultimately
position Dubai as a first-class international
maritime hub.
Presently, we have already put in
place essential regulations such as
the licensing of marine crafts and
crews and the Boating Safety Guide,
as well as the rules governing all crew
and maritime activities in Dubai waters.
DMCA offers investment opportunities
to boost Dubai’s competitiveness
at the regional and
international levels. What is DMCA
strategy to achieve that?
We launched MSS in 2012 to increase
investment opportunities in
Dubai. Via MSS, we provide worldclass
infrastructure and formulate
business-friendly regulations. This is
part of our comprehensive strategy
to attract international investors.
Across Dubai, other initiatives are
generating considerable investment
prospects in the emirate, which historically
has been a busy trading port
thanks to its strategic location. One
of these is the move to make Dubai
the world’s leading shipping destination
in line with Maritime Vision
2030.
Additionally, the fact that Dubai
enjoys world-class status – it is even
predicted to join the world’s top 7
maritime centers in the next four
years, ahead of London, New York,
Tokyo, Copenhagen and Rio de Janeiro
- is also generating healthy
investor interest. The Menon report
ranked Dubai fifth in the Competitiveness
and Attractiveness Index;
sixth among future leading maritime
capitals; and 10th among the world's
largest shipping centers.
Needless to say, the contributions
of the domestic maritime industry
have been immense. Hosting over
Dubai Maritime City Authority's
team during the launching of
DMVC portal
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