The value of Abu Dhabi’s foreign trade of foodstuffs amounted to Dhs7.51 billion during the first five months of 2021, reflecting Emirate’s maintain its commercial activity levels, according to data issued by the General Administration of Customs in Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Customs). In terms of foodstuff trade, the number of customs transactions reached 72,918 (66,389 by land, 4,290 by air, 2,239 by sea) during the first five months, recording an increase of 61 percent when compared to 62,906 transactions during the same period in 2020. The size of traded foodstuffs reached about 1.74 million tonnes, comprising 998,179 tonnes of imports and 414,689 tonnes of exports, and 330,233 tonnes of re-exports. Abu Dhabi’s total value of foreign trade in foodstuffs included imports with a value exceeding Dhs 3.14 billion, exports with a value of Dhs 2.88 billion, a growth of 11 percent compared to Dhs 2.60 billion during the same period of 2020, and re-exports with a value of Dhs 1.5 billion, a growth of 5 percent compared to Dhs 1.42 billion. Saudi Arabia maintained its position as Abu Dhabi’s largest strategic partner in the foodstuff trade sector, trading around Dhs 3.37 billion, a growth of 3 percent compared to Dhs3.29 billion during the same period of 2020.
Kuwait ranked second with a total foodstuff trade value of Dhs 804.59 million, a growth of 20 percent compared to Dhs 671.16 million during the same period of last year, followed by Yemen with Dhs 626.14 million, Bahrain with Dhs 348.62 million, Jordan with Dhs 314.60 million, Oman with Dhs 274.16 million, and Spain with Dhs 184.42 million. The data revealed that dairy and livestock products are the most traded segment, amounting to AED 1.868 billion of Abu Dhabi’s total foodstuff trade, followed by its fruits and citruses trade, which reached Dhs 938.54 million. Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Customs, said that Abu Dhabi Customs is continuing its efforts to promote and facilitate food trade movement in Abu Dhabi through employing highly qualified Emirati professionals, as well as digital customs services, to meet the needs of all traders, especially in the foodstuffs sector, in line with the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to enhance food security in the UAE. He added that Abu Dhabi Customs, in collaboration with the strategic partners, is bolstering its efforts to ensure the safety of foodstuffs and their compliance with health conditions through facilitating the timely clearance of all shipments to ensure fast access to markets, in line with the highest quality standards.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Ports has developed a new transparent classification system for residential accommodations to help companies efficiently select tailored housing solutions for their employees. The Star Rating Programme, first-of-its-kind in the UAE, assigns five, four, three, two, and one-star ratings to communities under Abu Dhabi Ports’ supervision, based on the amenities available to residents, including services, catering facilities, places of worship, recreation facilities, internet access, health services among others.
Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Worker Committee, said, “The economy of Abu Dhabi has occupied an outstanding position and has attained a high level of competitiveness across many sectors, thanks to the excellent performance delivered by the non-oil economy, which now contributes more than 50 percent to the emirate’s gross domestic product (GDP). “Over the past five years, increasing numbers of the world’s leading businesses are selecting Abu Dhabi, which is now rapidly becoming a regional and global hub of industry and trade. Our partner, Abu Dhabi Ports, has been key contributors in achieving this accomplishment by introducing programmes such as the Star Rating Programme that reflect the preparedness of the emirate to develop innovative initiatives that ideally complement the needs of business.”
Formed in April 2020, the Abu Dhabi Workers Committee is tasked with developing and implementing inspection programmes for all private sector facilities to ensure compliance with UAE’s labour legislations. The body is also responsible for overseeing workers’ rights, verify that payments for work are facilitated, while also ensuring valid work contracts are issued. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said, “Employee wellbeing drives productivity, performance and output, which is why companies need to be able to make decisions related to employee accommodation with confidence. This new Star Rating Programme provides our customers clear and transparent information to aid their decision-making. “This programme will serve as an important benchmark, classifying a full range of services to support the requirements of companies and their employees, ultimately increasing returns for the emirate’s industrial and commercial businesses, and leading to the growth and expansion of Abu Dhabi’s economy.”