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Yas Island · United Arab Emirates · 12 Jun

First look: Abu Dhabi to welcome Flamingo Room by tashas at Galleria Al Maryah Island

Natasha Sideris is a culinary whizz on the Dubai foodscape. The founder and chief executive of Tashas Group runs more than 20 restaurants and cafes — 15 in her native South Africa and eight in Dubai, including six tashas cafes, plus Avli by tashas, Flamingo Room by tashas and Galaxy Bar. Now, the restaurateur and cookbook author has her eye on Abu Dhabi. The capital’s first Flamingo Room, one of the group’s most popular restaurants, is set to open in Galleria Al Maryah Island in early 2023. Today, Sideris chats to The National about what diners can expect and provides a first look at the new space. You’ve been operating in the UAE for eight years. Why did you decide to open a restaurant in Abu Dhabi now? Abu Dhabi has grown exponentially in the past few years. It is an energetic city with a cosmopolitan culture. While it doesn’t currently have as many food and beverage options as Dubai, it has the potential to become a hub for diverse concepts. There is opportunity for so much more, so I felt it was a perfect fit for Flamingo Room by tashas. This, coupled with finding an extraordinary location within a buzzing and glamorous neighbourhood, makes it the perfect time to open in Abu Dhabi. What’s special about the location? The Galleria on Al Maryah Island has a beautiful setting on the water. Given the extraordinary shape of the space, we are able to do some unique things with it. For example, the outside terrace, will be used for art exhibitions. The outdoor dining area, called the Flamingo Room Terrace, will be coupled with a champagne bar. There is also a space tucked away in the back of the main dining area, which we’ll convert into a secret bar. Finally, the restaurant will incorporate our Collective Africa luxe retail concept, so guests have the opportunity to purchase beautiful objects sourced from all over the African continent. What’s on the menu at Flamingo Room in Abu Dhabi? The menu will be the same as the restaurant in Jumeirah Al Naseem, Dubai. I have spent a lot of time refining the menu, which features classic dishes with a contemporary twist, such as calamari Mozambique, beef carpaccio, lobster pasta, and corn and burrata ravioli. Any new items we create for variety will be added to both restaurants, yet without taking down the signature dishes. Food aside, Flamingo Room is acclaimed for its luxe interiors. What will the Abu Dhabi outpost look like? The interior will be similar to Dubai and, as always, I am working with incredible South African artisans to create bespoke elements for the space. One addition is Bar Afrouge. Following the success of Galaxy Bar in DIFC, I want to create an exclusive space in Abu Dhabi, which provides an amazing ambience and world-class cocktails. Do you have any other expansion plans? I am opening Flamingo Room by tashas in Riyadh at the end of this year. The restaurant is located in Bujairi Terrace, an upscale neighbourhood in Diriyah, a historic and cultural spot. The three-storey building has unbelievable views over the Wadi Hanifah. It’s inspired by indigenous Najd architecture, and will house four concepts: Flamingo Room by tashas, African Lounge, Stargaze Garden and Collective Africa. Each experience has been designed to recall the delicate beauty of the African continent, whilst referencing the culture and hospitality this location in Saudi Arabia is known for. The African Lounge will serve high tea during the day and small sharing plates in the evening, with a different menu from Flamingo Room. The Stargaze Garden will be available for events such as weddings and birthdays.

United Arab Emirates · 8 Jun 2022

UAE: Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants to return

Dine Brands International has announced plans to open multiple Applebee’s Neighbourhood Grill + Bar and IHOP restaurants in the UAE. The first location is scheduled to open in Dubai later this year through an agreement with IHOP franchisee Mohamed Makawi. Tony Moralejo, president, international, Dine Brands Global, said: “Mohamed, as a long-time IHOP operator in the US, is an ideal franchisee to lead the new openings of Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants in the UAE market. His passion for our brands, cultural understanding of the Middle East market, paired with his focus on creating exemplary guest experiences, position him to succeed in this new endeavour. “We have seen success in this market through our ghost kitchen operations and are excited to be re-establishing brick-and-mortar locations for our two world-renowned brands. The UAE is one of the fastest developing nations in the world, and the country’s increasing tourism business and consumer demand for casual and family dining restaurants reaffirm it as an important growth market for Dine.” Makawi said: “For over 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of developing the IHOP brand in the US. With this new venture, I look forward to gaining the support of the communities we plan to serve internationally. “We’re going to hire a local team and are confident guests in the UAE will love joining us in our restaurants for IHOP’s world-famous pancakes and familiar comfort foods, as well as Applebee’s craveable American fare.” Dine Brands International said it continues to place emphasis on growth in markets, including North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Based in California, Dine Brands Global operates about 3,440 restaurants in 16 countries and approximately 350 franchisees and is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world.

United Arab Emirates · 27 Jan 2022

Store Renovation

Another great opening! ✨✨ Happy to announce the reopening of Sunglass Hut with a stunning and vibrant look in the Mall of the Emirates, UAE. Sunglass Hut is the largest sunglass specialty retailer in the world, offering the latest designer brands and trends to our guests to complete their perfect style. Thank you AZADEANS for another superb achievement & best of luck to our team. 😊 Apply now for a chance to join our growing team: https://bit.ly/33l4LeI

United Arab Emirates · 24 Nov 2021

Pickl to launch Dubai concept store that celebrates the history of burgers

Since it first opened in 2019, Pickl has steadily racked up a legion of fans thanks to its juicy burgers, shakes and famous chicken sandos. And now the home-grown brand is adding another notch to its belt with the launch of An/Other, a 12-month concept store set to open its doors in City Walk. David Dougall, head of brand, said An/Other will be “more than just another store”. “It’s a culinary hub, a celebration of those who stood before us; a commemoration of culture, just as diverse as the land we stand upon,” he says, adding that the new concept store will celebrate “100 years of burgers” with some unique creations. “Customers can expect 12 specials over the 12 months, taking us from the first ever documented burger, to present day,” Dougall says. “We want to pay homage to the burgers and brands that have defined an entire industry and managed to elevate a humble piece of beef, a couple of slices of bread, and a slice of cheese into one of the most popular items of food in human history. It’s going to be an educational culinary journey of a story rarely told.” Fans of the brand will also be able to shop Pickl Apparel, set to include oversized tees, hoodies and caps, as well as skate decks, sports apparel and some of "Dubai’s leading new home-grown brands,” Dougall says. Fans will also be able to recreate the Pickl experience at home for the first time, with the launch of a range of hot sauces and spice rubs. Pickl launched in JLT in 2019 and has since expanded across Dubai, with its most recent sites opening in Motor City and at Time Out Market. According to Dougall, the brand sees an even split of fried chicken and burger sales (they also have a Beyond burger for vegetarians), but it is the chicken sando that holds pride of place. The chicken comes in a variety of spice levels, from plain to reaper, with the latter even requiring a disclaimer form. The brand has also gained attention for its creative limited edition burgers, which have ranged from a chicken katsu curry burger to the boujee bird, featuring fried chicken and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. “Monthly specials are hugely important to us. We always want to have our staple menu available, but we also want to be able to take our guests on a culinary journey... to push the burger into territories never explored,” Dougall says. “We have an awesome head of culinary, Reece Dunne, who works closely with our Founder, Stephen Flawith, to come up with these creations. The level of detail that goes into each special, and the rounds and rounds of testing, is what impresses me so much. Whenever we think it’s perfected, there is also something else we can do to elevate it that little bit further."

United Arab Emirates · 11 Jul 2021

Saudi’s famous ALBAIK is coming to UAE with the launch of first branch in Dubai Mall

DUBAI: ALBAIK, one of Saudi Arabia’s favorite homegrown brands, is coming to Dubai. The popular restaurant chain will open a new branch in Dubai Mall, which will bring ALBAIK’s range of dishes to Emiratis for the first time. ALBAIK was established in Jeddah in 1974 and has grown to more than 120 branches throughout Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. It has been listed by CNN as one of the best eight fast-food chains around the world. ALBAIK has developed a community of fanatics across Saudi Arabia, driving the brand’s popularity. ALBAIK recently opened the world’s first eight-lane drive through with its food trucks in the Saudi city of Tabuk that attracted a queue of cars stretching more than four kilometers. Following the opening of three branches in Bahrain at the end of 2020, ALBAIK was encouraged to open in Dubai. The new 355-square-meter restaurant will serve a wide array of chicken and seafood, grilled dishes, and vegetarian options. The beloved Saudi homegrown brand is entering the UAE market in collaboration with ServQuest, a company formed and established by National Holding, Abu Dhabi, dedicated to operating and expanding ALBAIK across the seven emirates led by an expert team managing several successful restaurant brands in the country. “ALBAIK has earned its place as Saudi Arabia’s most popular restaurant thanks to the hard work and dedication of its well-trained team members, who strive to deliver food of exceptional quality and 100 percent Customer Love at all times,” said Yazan Malhis, general manager of ALBAIK Food Systems — UAE. “Our recent launch in Bahrain proved extraordinarily successful despite the current challenges, and we are delighted to further extend our reach with ALBAIK’s first branch in the UAE. We look forward to a fruitful relationship with ServQuest and will continue to seek out fresh opportunities to serve our loyal customers, wherever they need us to be.” Karim Hajjali, CEO of ServQuest, said: “Many visitors to Saudi Arabia return with fond memories of ALBAIK. Likewise, Saudis and former residents in the Kingdom living overseas will often find themselves craving for ALBAIK dishes. We are proud to partner with this much-loved brand on its long-awaited arrival to the UAE and are delighted to introduce diners in Dubai to the unmistakable taste of one of the Kingdom’s unmissable culinary treats.” In 2019, ALBAIK secured first place at YouGov’s annual brand health rankings titled “Top 10 KSA.” It also topped a list of Saudi Arabia’s “Simplest Brands” in a report by Siegle + Gale. The restaurant chain also holds the record for serving the largest number of meals during a single day at one of its branches during Hajj.

United Arab Emirates · 8 Jun 2021

Nando's UAE Sheikh Zayed Branch under renovation.

United Arab Emirates · 22 Apr 2021

Welcome to Tryano Store’s Secret Garden💐 Congratulations to the team on this newly renovated and reimagined space that will take you on a journey of inspiration. This is just the beginning for the exceptional and immersive shopping experience that Tryano will offer every guest. Visit #Tryano today and let your journey begin. #WeAreChalhoub #TheSecretGarden #TryanoReimagined #Retail #Luxury #ChalhoubGroup #ChalhoubGroupTalent

United Arab Emirates · 22 Apr 2021

Sharjah’s Sahara Centre eyes second-quarter launch for new retail section

Dubai: Sahara Centre’s new extension, which is located in the west wing of the mall, is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2021. Visitors will be able to access new retail stores, leisure and dining options including a landscaped outdoor area. “We are really excited about our new extension at Sahara Centre as we aim to further enhance the overall customer experience for our visitors - we have added some great brands to our portfolio and more variety to our retail mix across categories,” said Akram Ammar, Managing Director, Sahara City. The area will feature fashion and lifestyle brands including LC Waikiki, Centrepoint, CCC, Forever 21, and Hush Puppies, among others. “Despite the pandemic, we have leased out 80 per cent of the new extension already - once complete, it will add a whole new dimension to the mall,” said Ammar. It will also feature a section dedicated to beauty including a beauty salon, a spa as well as cosmetics and fragrance stores.

United Arab Emirates · 21 Apr 2021

I am pleased to share one of our latest Starbucks stores in partnership with Alshaya Group, set within the newly renovated precinct of Grove Village, in The Dubai Mall. In the largest mall in the world by total land area, competition in this retail environment is fierce. The stores glossy caramel entrance portal captures customer attention and leads them through the store, where sweeping organic curves evoke memories of our skilled baristas latte art and reference the contoured landscapes where our coffee trees grow. Sustainability principles have been explored using felt made from recycled plastic water bottles as a core element. Lining the curves in the ceiling, it creates an acoustic baffle for this large, cavernous space. For the flooring we have repurposed marble offcuts from other Starbucks stores built in the local area, reducing our construction waste. We hope to create a calm and oasis like third place environment for our customers in an otherwise loud and busy part of the mall. Thank you to the whole team for superbly executing an intricate design under such challenging site conditions. Photography courtesy of Alshaya Group.

United Arab Emirates · 29 Mar 2021

Loading!!! See you @ Marina Mall -AbuDhabi-UAE.

United Arab Emirates · 10 Aug 2020

Dubai Mall Marks & Spencer store reopens with huge new food hall and cafe - in pictures

Dubai’s flagship Marks & Spencer store, in The Dubai Mall, has reopened with a brand-new look. The 3,066 square-metre store has had a contemporary makeover, with new interiors designed to optimise the customer experience. Fans of M&S’s food hall will be pleased to hear that the revamped store now has the addition of its full chilled food range, stocking more than 2,000 more grocery goods including meat, cheese and salad in the enhanced space. M&S’s freezer range is also now available at The Dubai Mall store, alongside classic cupboard staples and British favourites. Shoppers looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets will also be able to shop the Plant Kitchen range, which features dishes such as sweet-potato falafel and cashew nut and cannellini dip. As well as a much larger food hall, the store features a new Marks & Spencer Cafe, offering customers both a dine-in and pick-up service. The cafe will serve classic British afternoon tea, plus a selection of cakes and baked goods, and heartier dishes including fish and chips. Food aside, the new store offers Marks & Spencer’s clothing and accessories for men, women and children, as well as homeware. “We are pleased to welcome shoppers to our new boutique concept store, where we have introduced fresh food to the store for the very first time. The store will also offer a wide range of popular clothing collections for the whole family,” says Nick Batey, general manager of Marks & Spencer Mena. “We’ve been working hard to offer customers new, convenient ways to shop with Marks & Spencer, including the M&S Food app, e-catalogue service and partnerships with elGrocer, Deliveroo and, of course, on our website. It’s important that customers are able to shop our products in the way that is most convenient to them.” In line with government guidelines, all necessary health and safety measures are in place, including regular and ongoing deep cleaning, the provision of sanitiser and gloves to all customers, social distancing measures and twice-daily body and temperature checks for staff.

Dubai · United Arab Emirates · 21 Jun 2020

First look: ROKA Dubai to open next week

ROKA Dubai is opening its doors next week (Wednesday March 18), in news that will thrill foodies throughout the city. And Time Out Dubai has been for a sneak peek behind the scenes. The famous restaurant is a sibling to Zuma, Time Out Dubai’s Restaurant of the Year and Best Japanese Restaurant 2020, coming from famed chef and restaurateur Rainer Becker. With several branches already in London, including in Mayfair and Aldwych, ROKA Dubai is a first international venture for the popular restaurant. ROKA first opened in 2004 in Charlotte Street, and has been hugely popular since. ROKA is a Japanese robatayaki restaurant that focuses around robata grills. The technique originates from the fishermen cooking fish over charcoal on the boats out to sea off northern Japan. Dishes on the exciting new ROKA Dubai menu include yakitori-negima yaki (robata-grilled chicken skewers with spring onion) and kankoku fu kohitsuji (lamb cutlets with Korean spices and sesame cucumber). ROKA Dubai will also be serving key signature dishes such as kampachi sashimi no salada (yellowtail sashimi with yuzu-truffle dressing) and sake no taru taru (salmon tartare with den miso and yuzu). The reservations lines are now open, as of today (Monday March 9) too, so if you’re looking to book a table you’re in luck. It will be open for dinner every day, on Saturday to Wednesday 6.30pm until midnight and on weekends from 6.30pm until 12.30am. Dubai’s restaurant is in The Opus by Omniyat in Business Bay, designed by the late Zaha Hadid, and is one of the most hotly-anticipated openings this year. “After being so warmly welcomed with Zuma in 2008, we felt it was a good time to bring its sibling ROKA into the region,” said Becker. “We are very much looking forward to showcasing more of the robata experience, which is at the heart of the restaurant, making a relaxed and edgy vibe for dining. “Moving into the Zaha Hadid designed The Opus is very exciting for us all and we hope we can create a cool and multi-dimensional dining experience with a neighbourhood feel for the Dubai community.” It has space for 100 diners inside in the “chic-but-industrial” 7,400 sq ft venue and we’re promised an “edgy warmth” and “chic feel”. There’s also a spacious terrace, which seats 64 diners and boasts super Dubai skyline views, while a resident DJ will provide the beats. We can’t wait for it to open.

Dubai · United Arab Emirates · 7 Mar 2020

Jacky’s Retail Reopens Renovated Samsung Store in Mall of the Emirates

Jacky’s Retail LLC, a subsidiary of the Jacky’s Group of Companies, has reopened its revamped Samsung branded store in Mall of the Emirates in Dubai that is celebrating its sixth anniversary this month. Managed jointly with Samsung Gulf Electronics, this space is spread over 294 square meters and offers visitors a premium customer service area and new Samsung experience areas. The revamped outlet encompasses a brand new design that will give consumers the chance to get hands-on with a wide range of Samsung products and services first-hand. The space is also ideal for visitors to speak to a Samsung expert about product repairs, get help or advice on a broad line-up of its products. Ashish Panjabi, Chief Operating Officer at Jacky’s Retail LLC said, “Working with a brand like Samsung, we are always looking for ways to showcase the latest innovations and to do this, a complete refresh for how the experiences are presented as necessary. The new layout lends itself to the lifestyle of our consumers whilst ensuring the innovative product ecosystem from Samsung is clearly demonstrated whether it be smartphones, wearables, televisions or home appliances.” In addition, an exclusive accessories and wearables section provides a high-level curated and categorized display of Samsung’s latest flagship accessories and wearables. The reopening was marked with special offers that also included the chance to win Samsung 55” 4K TV, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy A5 Smartphone, Gear 2 Active smartwatch, Level U headphone & Samsung Battery pack, among others. Samsung’s long-term partnerships with Jacky’s was established in 2013, with a common goal to provide the best-in-class innovation to customers in the UAE. Jacky’s also operates Samsung brand shops in City Centre Deira, Burjuman and Khalidiyah Mall Abu Dhabi.

United Arab Emirates · 27 Nov 2019

Retailer Landmark unveils $272m mega distribution hub in Dubai

Fully-automated facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone is designed to process 300 million units per year

Dubai · United Arab Emirates · 25 Nov 2019

Founded in 2005, Baniyas Investment & Development Company L.L.C (BIDC), a majority owned subsidiary of the Baniyas Sports and Cultural Club, has been an active contributor to the dynamic transformation of the area of Baniyas and Abu Dhabi, moving forward with modernity without ever forgetting the emirate’s rich culture and heritage. As the investment and development arm of the Baniyas Sports and Cultural Club, the company’s core competencies are in the areas of investment, development and management of real estate projects. Currently, the company has an impressive array of opportunities in addition to projects in the pipeline including master planned communities as well as residential and commercial towers in the United Arab Emirates. With integrity at the heart of our corporate philosophy, and with the aim of supporting the collective vision of Abu Dhabi 2030, we at BIDC are driven by a desire to enrich the quality of people’s living, working and leisure environments. BIDC works on developing luxurious and cosmopolitan urban structures, communities, and surroundings that are environmentally, culturally and socially balanced while creating an atmosphere that inspires future generations. Our projects have the potential to provide attractive returns to real estate investors and property owners alike. Namely, our Signature project, Bawabat Al Sharq, is a mixed-use community development which represents the first of several pioneering projects by Baniyas Investment and Development Company. Bawabat Al Sharq is all set to elevate the leisure, commercial and tourism appeal of Bani Yas City in the near future.

20 Nov 2019

The well, known as Murban-3, was completed in May 1960, and began producing crude oil at a rate of 3,674 barrels per day. It took another three years of drilling, the creation of a 112km pipeline, and the construction of an export terminal in Jebel Dhanna, before exports could begin, with the first tanker of Abu Dhabi crude departing Jebel Dhanna port on 14th December, 1963. Subsequent fields were quickly discovered - including the giant Bu Hasa field, west of Bab, and the Bida Al Qemzan, Asab, Shah and Sahil fields. Then, in 1971, as revenues from oil production started to grow, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan established the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Since then, we have played an integral role in Abu Dhabi’s economic development, managing, producing and preserving the emirate’s hydrocarbon reserves, on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Government. In the last 45 years, we have been the principle catalyst of growth in the emirate, and our work has had a positive and lasting impact on the quality of millions of lives. Today, while we manage and oversee production of around 3 million barrels of oil per day - which places us among the largest oil producers in the world – our portfolio has also expanded to include sophisticated refining and petrochemicals businesses; an extensive network of gas and petrol service stations, and a modern transportation fleet that includes LNG and LPG carriers, oil and chemical tankers, bulk carriers and container vessels. We are committed to proactively exploring new and innovative ways to enhance and expand our operations, to ensure we continue to positively impact the United Arab Emirates' economy, and ensure the country’s longer-term prosperity.

4 Nov 2019

Fashion chain Urban Outfitters to open first Dubai store in September

3 Aug 2019

باجر الساعه ٣ العصر .. خبراء التمصع في راك ،، اخيرا ✌🏻😋

United Arab Emirates · 17 Apr 2019

Creating Belt and Road Co-operation

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Monday 10 December 2018 – Today COSCO SHIPPING Ports (”COSCO SHIPPING Ports” or “CSP”, HKEX stock code: 1199) and Abu Dhabi Ports inaugurated CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal at Khalifa Port; positioning Abu Dhabi as the regional hub for COSCO’s global network of 36 ports and further connecting the Emirate to the major trade hubs along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The deepwater, semi-automated container terminal includes the largest Container Freight Station (CFS) in the Middle East, covering 275,000 square metres. The state-of-the-art facility offers facilities for full and partial bonded container shipments, the full range of container packing services, short-term warehousing for de-consolidated cargo as well as easy connectivity with container terminals in Khalifa Port. The terminal is also the first international greenfield subsidiary of COSCO SHIPPING Ports, a subsidiary of China COSCO Shipping, the largest integrated shipping enterprise in the world. CSP has so far invested AED1.1 billion in capital expenditure on construction and machinery at the terminal. The partnership with COSCO SHIPPING Ports is part of a five-year strategy by Abu Dhabi Ports aimed at strengthening the maritime sector in Abu Dhabi and driving economic diversification, in line with Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, by increasing regional trade and attracting foreign direct investment. Abu Dhabi Ports has earmarked AED10 billion in investment that will increase capacity at Khalifa Port from the current 5 million TEU to 9.1 million TEU, which also includes boosting capacity at Terminal 1 to more than 5 million TEU. The CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal has a design capacity of 2.5 million TEU and will begin with a handling capacity of 1.5 million TEU, with 1200 metres of quay. The water depth of the terminal is 16.5 metres, allowing it to accommodate mega-vessels typically carrying in excess of 20,000 TEU. The terminal was formally inaugurated at a ceremony at Khalifa Port by His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, and was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Department of Transport; His Excellency Ning Jizhe, Deputy Director of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”); His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports; His Excellency He Jianzhong, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Transport of the PRC; His Excellency Ni Jian, Ambassador of the PRC in the UAE; Captain Xu Lirong, Chairman of China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited (“COSCO Shipping”); Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports; Mr. Zhang Wei, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of COSCO SHIPPING Ports; in addition to high profile VIPs. At the inauguration, His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan commented: “The UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, continues to develop advanced infrastructure across social and economic sectors.” He added that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces, has always focused on developing strategic partnerships with the international community to ensure sustainable development. He highlighted that the CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal is among key projects that will have a positive impact across a number of sectors, including industry, trade, services, and logistics. His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also emphasised the cordial and productive relations that have developed between the UAE and China over the past 34 years. “China and the UAE share a strong and long-standing bond across a variety of ties, including economic, cultural, and trade and investment, and a common vision of a stable and prosperous future for our peoples and the world. We look forward to nurturing our partnership in a spirit of friendly cooperation.” His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Department of Transport, said: “The decision by COSCO SHIPPING Ports to invest in Abu Dhabi is a testament to our strategic location, attractive business environment and supportive regulation. We believe that it will open the door to more foreign direct investment in the Emirate.” His Excellency Ning Jizhe, Deputy Director of NDRC, expressed his view that, “The inauguration ceremony is not only a milestone in the cooperation of China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, but also a good start for China and UAE’s pragmatic cooperation in other key areas. The two countries’ strong determination for cooperation laid a solid foundation for development and deepening of mutual relations, and thus provided promising prospects for cooperation in the future. Under the strategic leadership, China and UAE will continue to cooperate in more flagship projects and jointly contribute to “Belt and Road Initiative”.” is Excellency He Jianzhong, Deputy Ministry of Ministry of Transport of the PRC, said, “CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal is the latest major achievement from China and UAE’s joint efforts to implement ‘the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road’ in ports and shipping industry. CSP and Abu Dhabi Ports will continue to cooperate and increase capacity of Abu Dhabi Khalifa Port to make it a container gateway port and an important hub port in the Middle East in the near future, with an aim to better serve trade and economic development, as well as local community and people.” His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “This inauguration is yet another example of the long history of economic cooperation between China and the UAE. The expansion of Khalifa Port in partnership with CSP will further enhance the UAE’s role as an important trading link between East and West, promote our country’s economic diversification and contribute to the global connectivity of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. “I am proud that this accomplishment has been achieved during the Year of Zayed, as it was through the vision and leadership of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, that the foundations were laid for the strong bond we share with China today. Almost three decades later, the UAE’s relationship with China continues to flourish, growing deeper and stronger in line with China’s increasing importance as a global economic powerhouse.” Captain Xu Lirong, Chairman of COSCO Shipping, said: “The completion of CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal is just another milestone in the successful partnership between China and Abu Dhabi, and it will prove to be a fruitful cooperation between the two countries. Port business is one of the important parts of COSCO; we will support the development of the terminal to the fullest extent of our capability by developing shipping routes and transshipment network to drive the volume growth of CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal. The terminal is set to be a pivot for us to develop a global maritime hub for international transshipment and logistics.” Mr. Zhang Wei, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of CSP, said: “We are launching this semi-automatic terminal to serve vessels of all sizes and to help ensure a promising future for this region. CSP Abu Dhabi terminal will be equipped with value-added services such as feeder service network and easy connectivity with container terminals in Khalifa Port. It’s our broader strategy to develop Abu Dhabi as a regional logistics and trade hub and link it with industrial free zones to expand and diversify the economy. Backed by our parent company, we will harness our unparalleled strengths to turn Abu Dhabi into a regional hub and a competitive shipping service center.” Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal connects Khalifa Port to COSCO’s global network, making it not only one of the largest ports across the Middle East and Indian subcontinent, but a global maritime hub. “Abu Dhabi’s strategic location as a gateway to the MENA region makes it an important partner for China’s Belt and Road Initiative, connecting Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks along six corridors.” China is the UAE’s largest non-oil trade partner. In 2017, bilateral trade between the two countries increased by 15 per cent to more than US$53 billion, representing 14.7 per cent of the UAE’s total foreign trade. During the same period the UAE accounted for nearly 30 per cent of total Chinese exports to Arab countries and about 22 per cent of total Arab-China trade. Bilateral trade is expected to increase to US$70 billion a year by 2020. The new terminal will ease the way for companies seeking to establish, expand or enhance their trade by using local manufacturing, warehousing or logistics operations within Abu Dhabi and, through them, service regional, Middle Eastern, African and international markets. In addition to attracting investors from Eastern Asia, it will increase Khalifa Port’s competitiveness and act as a catalyst for investment by foreign companies to set up in the free zone of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), the region’s largest industrial, manufacturing and logistics hub and free zone. KIZAD, which comprises 410 square kilometres, has to date attracted more than 200 tenants and AED65 billion (US$17.7 billion) in investment. So far, a total of 19 Chinese companies have signed lease agreements for land in the demonstration zone established within the Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone in August 2017 by the Chinese Jiangsu Provincial Overseas Cooperation and Investment Company (JOCIC). CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal is the result of the 35-year agreement between Abu Dhabi Ports and COSCO SHIPPING Ports whose terminal portfolio covers the five main port regions in Mainland China, Southeast Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The new terminal is part of Abu Dhabi Ports’ five-year growth strategy to increase Khalifa Port, with its two container terminals, to a combined total capacity of 9.1 million TEUs. The addition of CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal has already moved Khalifa Port up from being the 89th largest container port in world rankings to within the top 25.

United Arab Emirates · 11 Nov 2018