Top leaders and international shipping firms meet to ensure smooth trade and logistics operations.
Dubai: Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, chaired a high-level coordination meeting hosted by the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation at its Dubai headquarters. The meeting brought together senior executives from leading global shipping companies and maritime association representatives, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance regional supply chain resilience.
Attendees included Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, and Dr. Abdullah Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, along with senior leaders from the logistics and maritime sectors.
During the meeting, Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasized that the UAE remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted trade and strengthening the resilience of regional supply chains. This is being achieved through close collaboration with partners and by advancing innovative, sustainable solutions to meet evolving challenges.
He said: “Ongoing high-level coordination among all supply chain stakeholders reflects the UAE’s steadfast approach to building partnerships and strengthening regional cooperation to tackle current challenges. This includes improving the efficiency, resilience, and responsiveness of regional supply chains, ensuring the continuous flow of goods—especially essential and strategic commodities—while safeguarding supplies for consumers and manufacturers and minimizing disruptions to market activity.
“We are also enhancing alternative corridors, expanding regional integration, and implementing advanced customs and operational solutions to reinforce the UAE’s competitiveness and maintain its role as a trusted global trade and logistics hub.”
Al Zeyoudi added: “The UAE will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting the stability of regional and international trade through targeted initiatives and flexible policies that enhance supply chain efficiency and sustainability, further strengthening the country’s position as a global hub for trade, business, and investment.”
Ensuring the continuity of trade flows to the UAE
Abdulla bin Damithan stressed the importance of ongoing coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, highlighting measures taken since the last meeting to address regional challenges and maintain uninterrupted trade into the UAE.
He noted that relevant entities have implemented strategic initiatives to boost supply chain resilience, including improving the efficiency of alternative corridors such as Fujairah Port and Khorfakkan Port, and enhancing regional maritime connectivity to ensure smooth, uninterrupted shipment movement.
He added that these accomplishments were made possible through close collaboration and strong commitment from both public and private sector partners, emphasizing that the current phase still demands intensified joint efforts in light of ongoing challenges, including rising costs and operational complexities.
Bin Damithan further stated that the meeting provides a key platform to review initiatives implemented over the past period and to explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration, with the goal of developing practical and sustainable solutions that support supply chain efficiency and continuity.
He reaffirmed that the top priority remains ensuring the uninterrupted flow of essential goods and reinforcing the UAE’s role as a reliable regional and global trade and logistics hub.
Facilitating Trade Flows and Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency
Dr. Abdullah Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, highlighted key customs initiatives aimed at supporting seamless trade movement and boosting operational efficiency, reaffirming Dubai Customs’ commitment to proactive and innovative solutions in partnership with stakeholders.
He said: “In recent months, we have implemented several impactful initiatives to facilitate the movement of goods and enhance supply chain efficiency. These include Customs Notice No. (6), allowing transit of goods via the Green Corridor with the Sultanate of Oman, and the acceptance of undertaking letters as a valid form of guarantee. We have also conducted workshops with traders to explain Green Corridor mechanisms and address their queries.”
He added: “We are currently rolling out several pilot projects, including the activation of the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system via shipping companies for all Green Corridor shipments, as well as the launch of a new maritime feeder route connecting the region with India, further strengthening trade connectivity.”
He also highlighted ongoing initiatives, including extending the grace period for re-export goods, creating a framework to allow more land transport companies to join guaranteed corridors, expanding the Green Corridor to include the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and offering multiple clearance options within this corridor.
He emphasized that these efforts are part of an integrated strategy to enhance supply chain resilience and sustainability, while reinforcing the UAE’s position as an efficient and globally trusted trade and logistics hub.
The meeting also reviewed recent developments, including improvements in handling critical shipments, activation of alternative transport corridors, increased use of multimodal transport solutions—such as road and rail—and the development of operational measures to address capacity constraints and rising costs.
