Dubai boosts position as global maritime hub

dubai - City currently accommodates more than 7,400 maritime companies

Dubai has continued to strengthen its position as one of the wold's leading global maritime clusters, providing a base of operations to a growing number of international companies, experts at the UAE Maritime Week 2018 said.

The UAE Maritime Week drew the participation of maritime industry leaders to discuss the sector's future. The week-long event comes close on the heels of Dubai's inclusion in the ranking of top five countries in the International Shipping Centre Development Index.

Dubai currently accommodates more than 7,400 companies and over 13,000 maritime and investment activities that will help contribute in the creation of more than 76,000 job opportunities.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and chairman of Dubai Maritime City Authority, said: "Dubai continues to move forward on the path of excellence, along with leading global maritime clusters such as Singapore, Hamburg, Oslo, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Athens and London, having reached the ranks of the world's best maritime capitals and currently hosts more than 7,400 major international companies, compared to 5,500 companies in 2016."

He added: "The sector is set to contribute progressively to our GDP over the next few years. We are committed to supporting the outcome of the summit, which has seen in-depth discussions on knowledge, innovation, smart transformation. They are important in overcoming obstacles and exploring investment opportunities to build a safe, renewable, sustainable and futuristic marine community."
- business@khaleejtimes.com