Over 7,000 new companies join Dubai Chamber in H1 2013

Dubai, July 18, 2013 (WAM) - In the first half of 2013, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber) recorded solid and consistent growth across all its operations, with its members' exports and re-export activities increasing by 7%, compared to the same period in 2012. Dubai Chamber says the half year figures covering January 1 to June 30, 2013 highlight the continued strong performance of Dubai's trade sector and the overall positive business environment and confidence of the business community. According to the figures, Dubai Chamber members' exports and re-exports amounted to Dh145.2 billion between January and June 2013, compared to Dh136.2 billion during the same period in 2012. The monthly total of May 2013 was the highest of the period, reaching Dh25.4 billion, while January was the lowest with a value of Dh23.5 billion. During the same period, Dubai Chamber issued a total of 418,000 certificates of origin (COs), compared to 372,000 COs in the first half of 2012, equal to a 12.2% increase. Again, May was the month with the highest number of certificates issued (74,000), while February was the month with the lowest (63,000). Between January and June, a total of 7,153 new members joined Dubai Chamber , registering a 5.5% increase on the same period in 2012 when 6,780 new members joined. This increased the total number of Dubai Chamber members to over 145,000 by the end of June. -- 54 ATA Carnets issued during H1 2013. Dubai Chamber issued 54 ATA Carnets between January and June 2013, with an invoice value of Dh 25.8 million, which is a growth rate of 145%, compared to 22 ATA Carnets worth Dh 12.2 million issued during the same period last year. The upwards trend clearly reflects the success of the temporary admission of goods system, which was launched in the UAE in April 2011. ATA Carnet is also helping to enhance Dubai's position as a leading international destination for exhibitions and conferences. -- Visiting delegations and overseas participation. Dubai Chamber 's half year figures also show that during this time the organisation received 139 international delegations, comprised of 503 delegates, including government officials and businessmen, recording an increase of 15% compared to the number of visiting delegations recorded in the same period last year. At the same time, Dubai Chamber participated in 29 events around the world, in 22 cities in 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Jordan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Uganda, Colombia and others, with the objective of promoting Dubai as an international business hub and profitable destination for foreign investment. -- Studying draft laws. As part of its objectives to create business growth, Dubai Chamber studied, reviewed and followed up on 17 federal legislations. These include; the draft federal law concerning Maritime Law (2011), draft federal law amending law No.(24/1999) on Environmental Protection and Development (2012), draft law concerning Foreign Investment (2012), draft federal law concerning Arbitration (2013), draft regulations concerning Insurance Brokers Registration and Profession (2013) and draft law regulating partnership between the public and private sectors in the emirate of Dubai (2013), as well as ministerial decisions. It sent its recommendations to the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department. Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber , said that the strong first half performance was due to recommendations from Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to stimulate Dubai's business environment. Buamim commented that Dubai's trade sector has achieved record growth, while tourism has consolidated its position as a leading support sector in light of Dubai's ambitious vision of attracting 20 million visitors by 2020. The Director General of Dubai Chamber , said: "This year Dubai Chamber is striving to promote Dubai in international business arenas and we are in the process of signing agreements with a number of global businesses to open their headquarters in Dubai, which we know will boost FDI, strengthen our business climate and enhance the competitiveness of our businesses in overseas markets." He also highlighted the commitment of Dubai Chamber under its mission to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community, while pursuing its strategic objectives of creating a favourable business environment, supporting the development of business and promoting Dubai as an international business hub. -- Settling trade disputes and supporting business. With the importance of settling commercial disputes amicably in the emirate gaining ground, Dubai Chamber received a total of 417 arbitration and mediation cases in the first half of the year. The organisation's initiative Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), received 177 arbitration cases, while Dubai Chamber 's Legal Services department received 240 mediation cases during the same period. Meanwhile, the number of business councils and business groups operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chamber increased to reach 43 and 27 respectively. Global expansion strategy. As part of its new strategy to promote Dubai as a global business hub to foreign investors and to open up promising markets of the world for its members, Dubai Chamber inaugurated its second overseas representative office in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. This follows the launch of its first overseas office in Azerbaijan and is part of plans to open around 20 representative offices in key emerging markets. In the first half of this year, Dubai Chamber organised trade missions to the Commonwealth of Independent States, visiting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to discuss investment opportunities in several promising sectors. Each mission included more than 20 businessmen from various industry sectors. -- Major successful events hosted. In May, Dubai Chamber organised the Africa Global Business Forum 2013 - a major success with the participation of 4,460 global decision-makers and business leaders as well as over 40 African ministers, who discussed enhanced cooperation and joint investment ties over the two-day event. The highlight of the event was the attendance of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his decision to make this an annual event as the forum successfully served as a platform for Emirati and African businesses to network and exchange experiences. Meanwhile, Dubai Chamber , in cooperation with the Private Office of H.H. Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, launched Tejar Dubai, an entrepreneur development programme that aims to help young Emiratis turn their business ideas into realities. In order to consolidate Dubai's position as a global business hub and in line with a new decree issued late last year empowering Dubai Chamber to attract global non-profit business organisations to the emirate, Dubai Chamber , in partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) launched the first ICC Regional Banking Commission Middle East and North Africa (MENA), a chapter of ICC's influential rule-making body for the banking industry. Dubai Chamber also hosted the regional launch of the ICC Uniform Rules for Bank Payment Obligation (URBPO), which is regarded as electronic letters of credit and an alternative means of settlement in international trade. The new rules will not only support the emirate's banking sector but will also go some way towards sealing its status as the region's leading banking and financial hub. Keeping up-to-date with online developments, Dubai Chamber unveiled its redesigned website (www.dubaichamber.com), which is more user-friendly, easier to navigate, and updated regularly with Dubai Chamber news, events and business-related information for the benefit of the business community. Meanwhile, as part of its efforts to mainstream CSR and sustainability in Dubai's business community, Dubai Chamber 's Centre for Responsible Business launched the Sustainability Network Task Groups for 2013, under which the Network's 50 national and international members collaborate on various initiatives, including; Sustainability Communication, Social Entrepreneurship, Waste Management and Resource Efficiency, Diversity, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainable Supply Chain, Health and Safety Project, Encouraging Sustainability practices amongst SMEs, Sustainability Reporting and Capacity Building for NGOs. -- Private sector brought face-to-face with Sheikha Lubna Dubai Chamber continued its commitment to strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors through its first Talk Business at Breakfast networking meeting of 2013. This brought the business community face-to-face with Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, who was the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, to discuss important UAE laws, benefits and challenges of foreign trade and FTAs. For its efforts to reduce energy waste, provide a more environmentally-friendly work environment and encourage ethical and responsible business practices, Dubai Chamber won the Best CSR Project in the World Chambers Competition on the concluding day of the 8th World Chambers Congress in the Qatari capital Doha, bringing in international recognition for the organisation. Maintaining its lead in the Dubai Government Excellence Program, Dubai Chamber won first place in the Best Result in Customer Satisfaction award for the fourth year in a row, which is a clear indication of Dubai Chamber 's innovative services and outstanding customer care. Dubai Chamber also organised the International Conference for the launch of the 7th cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award 2013, which focuses on honouring business excellence in the country. Preparations are now underway for hosting the prestigious award ceremony in the second half of this year. – Emirates News Agency, WAM