AD Ports Group Joins Forces With ITC To Enhance Global Trade Facilitation Initiatives

AD Ports Group and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance trade facilitation, digital trade, logistics, and transport. The agreement was formalised by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, and Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of ITC.

The MoU aims to simplify trade processes and improve efficiency in the transport, maritime, ports, and logistics sectors within the UAE, GCC countries, and developing nations. Both parties will review existing frameworks and policies to ensure they align with international best practices. They will also work on upgrading border services for smoother cross-border trade.

AD Ports Group and ITC will provide technical assistance to developing and least developed countries (LDCs). This includes implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to expedite cross-border transactions. The collaboration will also focus on making trade more inclusive for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Both organisations will support SMEs by designing trade strategies and business solutions tailored to their needs. They will also promote the role of women traders through empowerment programmes. Joint participation in events, conferences, and workshops related to customs digitalisation, trade facilitation, ports, maritime, and logistics is planned.

Pamela Coke-Hamilton highlighted the transformative impact of digital solutions on small businesses in developing countries. She stated that the partnership with AD Ports Group would leverage advanced technology to enhance SME competitiveness in international trade. "Digital is changing the way small businesses of developing countries trade," she said.

Shared Goals in Sustainability

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi expressed enthusiasm about being the first ports and logistics entity to sign such an MoU with ITC. He noted that this partnership aligns with UAE's vision for economic diversification. "Our cooperation with ITC in the area of trade facilitation services and solutions will make transactions smoother," he said.

The collaboration will also involve sharing experiences, networks, capacity building, and training on key areas of trade facilitation and customs excellence. Both parties aim to integrate more small businesses into value chains while improving overall efficiency.

ITC's Role in Global Trade

Established in 1964 in Geneva, Switzerland, ITC promotes international trade and exports from developing countries. It offers tailored support through advisory services, capacity building, training, mentoring, free tools, business data, and publications specific to trade.

ITC assists governments and private sectors in enhancing their transport and logistics efficiency through regulatory impact assessments and digitisation programmes. This new partnership with AD Ports Group is expected to further these goals by leveraging advanced technology solutions.

The agreement marks a significant step towards creating a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable trading environment both regionally and globally.

With inputs from WAM