Hannover Messe 2014 kicks off

Hannover: Hannover Messe 2014, world's largest industrial and technological fair, commenced yesterday in Hannover, Germany with UAE's largest high-profile delegation taking part for the seventh year in a row. The delegation includes 35 entities, of which 16 are government institutions and 19 industrial establishments from the private sector. The UAE pavilion is the largest since the state started to participate at Hannover Messe six years ago. The exhibition was opened by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the presence of Juma Mubarak Al Junaibi, UAE Ambassador to Germany, Hamad Abdullah Al Mass, Executive Director of International Economic Relations Sector at Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Fahad Saeed Al Raqbani Director General of the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development, Mohammed Hasan Al Qamzi CEO of the Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones, Khaled Salmeen Al Kuwari CEO and Managing Director of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) and a number of senior government officials from participating entities. The UAE delegation to Hannover Messe, led by the Ministry of Economy and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, also includes the Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones, which hosts 19 participant factories, in addition to Khalifa Industrial Zone Kizad, Etihad Rail, Abu Dhabi Chamber, ADNOC Distribution Company, SENAAT General Holding Company, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development, Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone, Sharjah Department of Economic Development, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and the Emirates Aluminium Company( Emal). Juma Mubarak Al Junaibi the UAE Ambassador to Germany and a number of senior officials toured the UAE pavilion at the Hannover Fair, where they were received by the representatives of exhibitors who briefed them on the nature of participation. They highlighted projects and plans for promoting products, availing techniques and technological solutions provided by international exhibitors to increase potential productivity and raise competitiveness in regional and international markets. Al Junaibi emphasised that the participation of UAE in this international fair reflects the outstanding economic relations between UAE and Germany, which witnessed remarkable development over the past years in many areas, noting that over 1,000 German companies operate in UAE and contributes significantly to increasing of trade volume exchange between the two countries. He praised the level of UAE participation, which reflects the keenness of UAE leaders and government on developing the industrial sector, being the most important non-oil economic growth engine, intended to achieve the strategic objectives of the UAE vision 2021 aimed at realising sustainable economic development with a focus on developing non-oil sectors, particularly the industrial sector. The Ambassador stressed the importance of participation of national companies in such international forums hosted by Germany to explore experiences and technologies of developed countries, contribute to the national economy, enhance competitiveness and expedite transition to a knowledge-based economy. Al Junaibi noted that the UAE is the first commercial partner of Germany in the GCC region, noting that trade exchange between the two countries grew in 9 years by 125 per cent (2004-2012) to mark euro 10.5 billion (Dh 52.5 billion) in 2012, while UAE investments in Germany included leading establishments and companies such as DaimlerChrysler and Deutsche Bank. All this reflects the depth of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. On his part, Abdullah Al Saleh the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy for Foreign Trade Affairs, said that the Federal Republic of Germany is the fifth largest trade partner for UAE, adding that the participation in such renowned events on its soil, is of great importance and reflects the level of economic relations and partnership between the two countries. Al Saleh said that "Hannover Messe is one of the most prestigious industrial exhibitions worldwide; and represents an annual gathering of major world industrial firms. The international fair, which specialises in industrial technology, provides a unique opportunity to explore developments, exchange expertise and benefit from advanced innovations and technologies displayed by various industrial firms." He referred to The UAE's increasing participation in this fair, up 50 per cent compared to last year's level of participation. "This clearly reflects the interest of UAE's major industrial sector actors in this leading event, which is viewed as an ideal platform for promoting products at the international level." Al Saleh said, "We seek today, as the UAE Vision 2021 to increase the contribution of the industrial sector to the national GDP at reasonable rates over the coming years; as industry is one of the main engines of economic development. The government supported the industrial sector by the establishment and construction of sound infrastructure, enacting supportive laws and legislation, offering incentives for investments in this sector in addition to encouraging and facilitating the establishment of industrial projects. “He noted that the UAE succeeded to be at the forefront of Arab countries in terms of the 2013 Global Manufacturing competitiveness Index, adding that the participation of UAE at Hannover Messe comes within the framework of strengthening its position in the international arena, as one of the leading industrial centres in oil and non-oil markets. "The UAE pavilion succeeded in attracting the attention of a significantly large segment of visitors compared to all previous rounds of Hannover Messe, which reflected the quality of organising and arrangements made by the Ministry of Economy, in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development in particular, and all strategic partners who were keen to participate in this exhibition", Al Saleh said. He thanked the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, stressing that it is the most important strategic partner of the Ministry of Economy, praising the vital role of the Department in terms of contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of the national economy, and empowering trade, noting the constant concern and efforts of the Department in organising UAE's participation in major international exhibitions including the Hannover Messe fairs. For his part, Hamad Abdullah Al Mass the Executive Director of International Economic Relations Sector at Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development said, "the participation of 19 factories from Abu Dhabi at the Hannover Messe this year, reflects the keenness of Abu Dhabi to focus on the development of the industrial sector, which is one of the most important sectors for realising the goals of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030". He added, " Abu Dhabi seeks to build a knowledge-based economy within its long-term plans to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil and gas resources; as it supported, within the provisions of the Economic Vision 2030, the growth and development of a number of basic non-oil sectors including aviation, aerospace and high-tech industries". Al Mass stressed that a large group of government investments and a wide range of global partnerships have contributed in recent years, to the consolidation of Abu Dhabi's position as the fastest growing regional centres in areas of high technology and advanced expertise. Al Mass explained that the profound solution adopted to reduce the impact of fluctuating oil prices on the economy of Abu Dhabi, was to build a strong industrial sector; where progress has been made in this area; as the sector currently contributes to GDP by 5.9 per cent. Al Mass said, "in order to create a more focused and coherent industrial planning in the medium term, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development cooperated closely with relevant industrial authorities in public and private sectors to formulate the industrial development strategy for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and develop the ten focus industries including aerospace, renewable energy, semiconductors, steel and iron, aluminium and metal products, petrochemicals and plastic products". The total number of industrial licences registered in UAE last year reached 408 licences. The distribution of industrial licences by emirate revealed that Sharjah and Dubai captured the largest share of total licences registered in UAE, accounting for 40 per cent and 28 per cent of total industrial licences respectively. Ajman and Abu Dhabi emirates came in the third and fourth places by 15 per cent and 7 per cent respectively, while the rest of the emirates (RAS Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Qaiwain) acquired the remaining registered industrial licences by 5 per cent, 3.7 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively. In the same context, the data of the Ministry of Economy on the distribution of industrial licences registered in UAE since 1980 until the end of last year, by industrial sectors, showed that the following industries, respectively, acquired the largest number of industrial licenses registered in UAE: metal products industry, non-metallic mineral products manufacturing, rubber and plastic products manufacturing, food and beverage industry, chemical industry and products thereof, furniture manufacturing and wood and wood products industries. Industries. The Ministry of Economy indicated that this also applied at local level in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, where the structure of the distribution of industrial licences registered in the Emirate, by industrial sectors indicated that the following industries captured the largest number of registered licences respectively: non-metallic mineral products manufacturing, rubber and plastic products manufacturing, chemical industry and products thereof and food and beverage industry. Meanwhile, the structure of the distribution of industrial licences registered in the Emirate, by investments implemented in industrial activities, revealed that food and beverage industries accounted for (39 per cent) of the total investments implemented in the industrial sector in the Emirate since 1980, which is equivalent to over Dh 72.9 billion followed by basic metal industries (34 per cent), manufacturing of refined petroleum products (10 per cent) and chemical industry and products thereof (6per cent). Similarly, the situation does not differ much at the federal level; as the following industries, respectively captured the shares indicated out of the total investments implemented in the industrial sector in the State since 1980: food and beverage industries (32 per cent), basic metal industries (26per cent), non-metallic mineral products manufacturing (12 per cent), manufacturing of refined petroleum products (7per cent) and chemical industry and products thereof (6 per cent). Engineer Suhail Mubarak bin Athaeeth Al Ameri the Chief Executive Officer of SENAAT said, "The participation of SENAAT at Hannover Messe stems from the attention paid by the company to establish investment partnerships with German and European firms in general". He added, "We seek through our participation this year within the UAE pavilion at the Hannover Messe, to promote the opportunities that the industrial sector in Abu Dhabi offers, and build relationships with potential international partners". Eng. Athaeeth said that SENAAT Company is expected to achieve significant growth in the mining sector, particularly aluminium, in the years to come, as the company is a major contributor in this area, and aspires to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Hannover Messe, to promote its status as a global player in this sector. "One of the main objectives of SENAAT is to build and develop rewarding projects and boost the value of the companies in SENAAT portfolio, to support the industrial sector in Abu Dhabi; and therefore we focus on the development of the industrial potential of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general; in view of the many opportunities that can be seized to position Abu Dhabi as a global destination for industrial investments, and as a major industrial centre for serving the Gulf region in particular and the world market in general", Bin Athaeeth said. According to Bin Athaeeth, SENAAT Company does not exclude investing outside the state, as it operates through its subsidiaries, such as "Agthia" in different areas in the Middle East and Turkey, which enables SNAAT to consider any new investment opportunities outside the UAE. Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority Integrated Smart City participated in the UAE pavilion at Hannover Messe, after having achieved promising results in 2013 with net profits which amounted to Dh 204.3 million, up by 23.5per cent compared to the year 2012. Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority confirmed that its Future projects would be able to provide services and facilities that are in line with the concept of smart cities; as it allocated Dh 2.4 billion for the completion of investment projects launched last year, in order to be completed by the end of 2017. Commenting on the participation at Hannover Messe, Adnan Juma Al Bahar, Vice President-Marketing and Corporate Communications at Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, said; "We are happy to participate in one of the most famous industrial fairs in the world, through the UAE pavilion and delegation which seeks to highlight the major innovations and achievements of the State in different economic sectors, within the framework of the UAE Vision 2021". Thamer Al Qasimi, Director of Projects at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, commented on the participation in Hannover Messe 2014. "It is imperative for anyone who wants to succeed in various ways, to widen the circle of cooperation with various government and private sector institutions. In this respect, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority has deepened scientific and technical strategic partnerships and ties with all local, Arab and international organisations operating in fields of food science, research and trading, to enhance the prospects of cooperation in all aspects of food industry, agriculture, and promotion of investments in UAE in the field of food". Al Qasimi elaborated, "To achieve our goals, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority has development the laws and regulations which will pave the way for investments in the various areas of food industries, and provide the legislative structure in line with the requirements and needs of the public and private sectors, to ensure food safety and secure food supplies for the emirate". Al Qasimi pointed out that Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority provides a transparent and attractive environment for investors, to help them achieve their aspirations and facilitates investment procedures; which will all reflect positively on the investments in the field of food, especially with the sustainability initiatives adopted by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, that will make the Emirate one of the best investment environments in the world. – Emirates News Agency, WAM