ADDED set to implement ‘Abu Dhabi Export Gateway’ initiative for local exporters to boost emirate’s GDP output

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has announced that it will soon operate the ‘Abu Dhabi Export Gateway’ project, a digital platform offering an integrated approach to exporting at least 100 high-quality local products from across 10 sectors in the emirate, which can be exported to more than 60 target markets worldwide. It is also a knowledge platform where site visitors can get data and statistics about the leading local exports as well as information about the economic performance of key sectors in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.  

H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman, ADDED, said that the ‘Abu Dhabi Export Gateway’ is a one of ADDED's major initiatives aimed at extending further support to local exports companies and expand their contribution to Abu Dhabi’s gross domestic product (GDP) as efficiency, exporting capacity, investments and businesses are improved, and serve as well the efforts to enhance Abu Dhabi’s competitiveness in international markets.    

"The first phase of the Abu Dhabi Export Gateway is set to launch this coming August, which will serve the growing volume of the emirate's foreign trade. The platform will cover more than 100 local products across 10 different sectors and industries and is designed to accommodate expansion as local exporters may add more products they wish to promote via the platform," Al Shorafa added. 

H.E. Al Shorafa further explained that the first phase will cover 60 target markets worldwide which were chosen based on the emirate’s established connections and friendly economic relations and trade exchange with identified markets. He noted that more markets can be included especially those that are witnessing robust investments and major development projects that require importing products from Abu Dhabi.

He added: “The gateway brings new value to the export industry as it will provide a set of innovative technical solutions and digital content in line with the vision of the Abu Dhabi Government to increase the level of exports and increase the size of national companies’ trade in global markets.”

H.E. Ghanem Al Fendi Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of International Economic Relations Department, ADDED, stated that the first phase of the gateway will be available to exporter by the end of August 2020 and will feature about 20 different services.

Al Mazrouei added that the team managing the project will frequently review the needs of local companies and the volume of demand in foreign markets during the next six months. Based on the results, the platform will add other global markets and target sectors, as well as a range of smart digital services that would enhance local companies’ exporting capabilities and practices.

Bader Al Jenaibi, Acting Director of Foreign Trade and Export Support, ADDED, commented: “ADDED seeks to enhance its support to local exporters through this project. We also look to continue our field visits, workshops and meetings to learn more about their challenges, needs and opportunities so we can propose solutions that will enhance their competitiveness in international markets.”

Al Jenaibi further noted that the completion of the ‘Abu Dhabi Export Gateway’ project will enable ADDED to constantly communicate with exports companies in the emirate which will also enable the department to create more services and initiatives as part of their efforts to keep pace with global trends. He added that the platform will also aid exporters in addressing other market challenges and increase their opportunity to promote products and services to target markets through the use of other key features such as product marketing, searching for business partners and learning more about the estimated costs of export processes.