Day: October 6, 2021

ABU DHABI, The France Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will play a significant role in reviving the French economy, according to its Commissioner-General Erik Linquier.

“In fact, [our participation in Expo 2020 Dubai] is part of the French government’s relaunch strategy to maintain a strong and visible presence globally,” Linquier, who is also the Chairman of COFREX, the French exhibition company in charge of organising French participation in international and universal exhibitions, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

“Our participation illustrates the relevance, determination, and desire of French companies to build a sustainable society for the collective future, with the France Pavilion being their platform to showcase their savoir-faire, talent, and innovation,” he added.

‘France, Lightspeed Inspiration’: a source of inspiration, knowledge and creativity

Under its theme of ‘Lightspeed Inspiration’, the pavilion embodies France’s vision and highlights its many successes in the shift towards innovative eco-friendly and user-oriented mobility solutions.

Light is also the architectural theme for the France Pavilion, which visitors can explore as a source of inspiration, knowledge and creativity, offering a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Located in the Mobility District, the pavilion seeks to explore light as an enabler of progress, a vehicle for connections and a source of creativity. Designed as a link between France’s proud universal heritage and a more inclusive world for today, it offers solutions to build a more sustainable and more resilient world, in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: a priority shared by France and UAE

“The 17 Sustainable Development Goals of UN’s 2030 Agenda are a priority shared by France and the UAE and are more than ever relevant in a post-pandemic context. France’s contribution to achieving these SDGs, including combatting climate change, is an objective of responsible development and economic growth, crucial in the post-COVID rebound,” said Linquier.

He highlighted that Expo 2020 Dubai represents an ideal opportunity for all French artists, entrepreneurs, academics, companies, start-ups, communities, and foundations to develop internationally, conquer new markets, and express their commitment to building a sustainable society for the collective future.

France designed its six-month presence at Expo 2020 Dubai around twelve themed fortnights, which are based on the 17 SDGs. The objective of these themed fortnights is to raise public awareness of major causes and challenges of tomorrow and to highlight French initiatives in terms of biodiversity, climate, peace, space, consumption, and others.

“The France Pavilion will show how climate and environmental interdependence on an international scale can be a tool for international cooperation and business development, while proposing concrete solutions. While France is committed to ensuring strong coherence between its national and international policies, Expo 2020 Dubai will provide a pioneering platform to highlight this,” said Linquier, adding that France is fully aligned to express its vision of environmental transformation and innovation to build a better tomorrow. “It is our ambition to showcase the values of daring, optimism, and collective sense.”

More than 600 French companies, startups, and SMEs operate in UAE

There are more than 600 French companies, startups, and SMEs operating in the UAE, and representing various French industries, innovations and services.

“France’s participation in Expo 2020 constitutes a new and valuable opportunity to continue strengthening these relations and elevating them to new heights. It will create further opportunities between the two countries to consolidate economic, commercial, academic, and cultural ties,” said Linquier.

Experience a cultural and artistic immersive journey

France’s boldness in art and technology is also strongly present in the visitors’ journey at Expo 2020 Dubai, which is organised into several spaces that aim to reinvent France’s present and create its future.

The promenade will be dressed in street furniture designed by Franco-Iranian artist Sepand Danesh, who has designed furniture and sculptures that symbolise universal attitudes and emotions such as reverie or contemplation. The promenade will also host an exhibition dedicated to innovative textiles developed by lille3000 and will display themed photography exhibitions.

In the introductory space, the Explorers will offer a list of the natural, cultural and human resources of French regions to make as many people as possible aware of their riches and fragility.

Dedicated to the notion of Redefining Progress, the permanent exhibition presents visitors with three staged spaces, each featuring a vision of progress. These visions echo the theme of the Pavilion (“Light, Enlightenment”), its geographical wing (“Mobility”) and the general Expo 2020 Dubai theme (“Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”).

Within the continuity of the permanent exhibition, visitors will be able to discover temporary exhibitions, renewed every month, with each one being dedicated to an artistic expertise: starting with digital art, tableware, kinetic art, architecture, and fashion.

Finally, art on display will give an identity to each of the France Pavilion’s Belvédère’s spaces throughout the whole duration of the event.

“We adapted our calendar of events to match Expo 2020’s new schedule and we optimised this extra time to pay even more attention to the visitor experience and programming,” said Linquier.

Expecting millions of visitors over a period of six months “The France Pavilion is historically one of the most visited pavilions during World Expos and we look forward to welcoming millions of visitors for the next six months,” said the pavilion’s Commissioner-General.

“We are working very closely with the organisers to provide a seamless experience, as we adhere to Expo 2020’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. The UAE’s response in face of the pandemic and their efforts in hosting [this mega event] are a testament of their resilience and dedication,” he concluded.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) announced that its contribution to Dubai’s non-oil foreign trade for the first half of 2021 reached 11 percent. H1 trade in the Freezone grew 34 percent from the same period last year to reach AED77 billion, with a trade surplus of AED6.2 billion.

Imports recorded a growth of 44.5 percent in the first half of the year compared to the corresponding period last year, reaching AED35.4 billion, which represents 8.5 percent of Dubai’s total imports. In terms of re-exports, DAFZA grew 24 percent to total AED40.8 billion, representing 20.5 percent of Dubai’s total non-oil foreign trade. Exports saw a 501 percent growth compared to the same period of the previous year.

These results reflect Dubai’s success in reinforcing its role as a global trade hub and becoming a key player in the worldwide supply and trade chain. The strong growth figures, achieved despite disruptions to the movement of goods, trade chains and economic cycles due to the pandemic, demonstrate the agility and proactivity shown by the UAE and Dubai in spurring recovery through innovation and strong support for investors and businesses.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DAFZA, stated, “DAFZA’s latest statistics show that Dubai is returning to pre-pandemic growth levels, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. We’ve overcome the pandemic’s challenges by creating opportunities and strengthening our resilience as well as supporting businesses in easing the impact of COVID-19 as well as assisting them in resuming growth. DAFZA has worked with diligence to tide over the repercussions of the pandemic with plans aimed at achieving specific targets. DAFZA’s H1 results reflect the world’s trust in the UAE’s trade ecosystem and a return to its rapid economic growth momentum.

“Dubai is on track to achieve its foreign trade target of AED2 trillion over the next five years. To realise this, it is strengthening foreign connections and adding 200 new cities to its network of global trade partners. In addition, DAFZA is continuing to grow its trade movement, with more strategic initiatives that elevate its services, customs facilities, as well as investment and commercial incentives.”

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority, stated, “We were able to turn the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic into opportunities and continue our efforts to raise the quality of services offered to businesses, investors, merchants, entrepreneurs and companies headquartered in DAFZA. This was done to support their ability to enhance trade movement, whether in terms of imports, exports, or re-exports. DAFZA’s results confirm the success of our efforts. We will continue to work to increase these numbers in line with the leadership’s directives to expand the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade over the coming years.”

Machinery, sound recorders, TVs and electrical equipment are among the key commodities featured in DAFZA’s trading. These commodities saw a significant growth of 43 percent in the first half of the current year compared to the same period last year. As a result, the sector represented 74.4 percent of exports and re-exports amounting to AED31 billion and 76.8 percent of imports that amounted to AED27.2 billion. This was followed by the precious stones and metals and jewelry cluster, which came in second with a 9 percent growth from the previous year. The cluster accounted for 19.4 percent of exports and re-exports amounting to AED8.1 billion and 16.8 percent of imports at AED5.9 billion. These two clusters represent approximately 94 percent of DAFZA’s overall trade.

In terms of commercial partners, China came in first at 30 percent with a trade value of AED23 billion in the first half of the year, representing a growth of 70 percent compared to the same period last year. Iraq came in second at 7.1 percent with AED5.4 billion, followed by India at 4.6 percent with AED3.3 billion. DAFZA’s trade with Turkey saw a five-fold growth in the first half of 2021.

In terms of imports, China came in first at 65 percent, followed by India at 8 percent, and both Turkey and Vietnam at 5.8 percent. Iraq came in first in exports and re-exports at 13.1 percent, while the USA accounted for 5 percent.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Opportunities and trends emerging in the post-COVID digital era will be in the spotlight at the 12th World Chambers Congress (12WCC) in Dubai, where chamber leaders and members, prominent business heads and industry experts will convene to share their insights and experiences in dealing with disruption and enhancing their preparedness for future challenges.

The three-day event, held under the theme ‘Generation Next: Chambers 4.0’, will feature more than 44 thought-provoking sessions designed to tackle pressing issues facing chambers of commerce today, promote knowledge sharing, showcase success stories of chamber-led innovation and test chambers’ digital fitness.

Commenting on the upcoming Congress, Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber and Chair of ICC’s World Chambers Federation, stressed the significance of hosting the 12WCC in Dubai, describing the Congress as an ideal platform for chamber leaders to expand their knowledge, connect with industry experts and develop new action plans to improve their business models and competitiveness.

“The strong interest we’ve seen in the lead up to the 12WCC reflects a growing awareness within the global chambers community, which is fast realising the importance of investing in advance technologies and embracing innovation to adapt to the evolving needs of member companies,” Buamim said.

Buamim noted that Dubai Chamber has played a crucial role in ensuring business continuity by creating new channels for public-private sector cooperation as it dealt with disruption and new challenges, while keeping pace with the changing needs of our 275,000 members, adding that Dubai Chamber looks forward to sharing its experience and learning from other chambers that have reinvented their approach in the COVID-era.

John W.H. Denton AO, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce, said, “Addressing global challenges in the digital and post- COVID world requires new forms of leadership, including from chambers of commerce. Two years in the making, the Congress will equip the chamber and business communities with insight and tools to effectively respond to the needs of the real economy, enable a resilient post-pandemic recovery and enable more widespread peace and prosperity for all.”

Plenary sessions on the first day of the Congress will examine how chambers can work as one global movement to remain relevant in fast-changing business world, the digital revolution and the possibilities it brings, from remote working and hybrid events to increased international cooperation in the “new era of Chambers 4.0”.

Day one will also see a panel of industry experts share how they managed to make digital disruption work for their companies in a session titled ‘Fit for Digital’. During this interactive session, delegates can test their digital fitness using a purpose-made tool developed for the 12WCC.

A two-part session later in the day tackles the event’s overarching theme, exploring, in its first part, how chambers can ready themselves for Chamber Model Innovation. Part two showcases how chambers can identify strengths and weaknesses and attain common goals. It turns theory into practice, outlining the measures required to evolve, moving from Chambers 3.0 to Chambers 4.0.

Day two’s plenary sessions will look at how chambers can adapt to be relevant to Generation Z, which is expected to be the most disruptive generation. A session on Building Business Resilience answers the question of how companies and chambers can restructure existing models and human capital to adjust to the “new normal”, and work with various public and private sector stakeholders to ensure business continuity and enhance economic competitiveness.

Sessions on the third and final day of the Congress will challenge delegates to rethink their current approach to problem solving and brainstorm innovative solutions that can add value not only for chamber members, but for their respective economies and societies.

The Congress concludes with a handover ceremony where Dubai Chamber will highlight lessons from the 12WCC before officially passing the baton to the co-organiser of the 13th World Chambers Congress: Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services.

The World Chambers Congress convenes prominent leaders and bright minds to spur change through dialogue and cooperation. With 80 speakers leading over 44 sessions, the event traditionally draws more than international 1,200 delegates from over 100 countries.

Source: Emirates News Agency