Dubai Exports' strategy helps local building and foods firms reap rich rewards in CIS markets

Mohammed Ali Al Kamali, Director of Exports Market Development in Dubai Exports

• Food trade with Russia grows annually by 74% between 2011 and 2013

• 48% annual growth in exports of construction materials to Kazakhstan; 12% average annual growth in re- exports of similar products to Azerbaijan 

Dubai - Dubai Exports , the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, has seen its strategy of identifying potential markets overseas and targeting specific sectors in such markets bringing rich dividends from the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) region during the last three years.

Sustained campaigns by Dubai Exports in CIS and its adjoining markets, particularly Azerbaijan, Kazakshtan and Russia, with focus on the construction, foods and food products sectors have seen UAE companies emerging as major suppliers to these markets with trade exchange between these countries and Dubai rising considerably.

Dubai's food exports to Russia rose from AED 15 million in 2011 to almost AED 211 million in 2013 while construction and building materials exports to Kazakhstan grew from AED 17.8 million to AED 39 million during the same period. Azarbaijan also imported AED 903 billion worth of construction and building material from Dubai in 2013 as against AED 716 billion worth of similar goods in 2011.

Dubai is a major source markets for an array of high quality products including aluminum, precious metals, ceramics, and edible oils and fats, plastic, sugar and confectionery, fertilisers, glass and glassware, copper, iron and steel products to Russia and CIS. In terms of value gold jewelry and plastic materials constitute Dubai's leading exports to Russia and CIS.

Dubai Exports , in co-ordination with various trade bodies and governments, has been participating regularly in a series of international exhibitions and trade missions in Russia and CIS to promote bilateral trade, particularly exports and re-exports from Dubai.

Commented Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Exports : "The excellent results we have been able to generate in and around CIS proves the effectiveness of our strategic plans systematically evolved through evaluating overseas markets and their requirements as well as the availability of competent local exporters. Once markets are identified Dubai Exports prepare an action plan to penetrate those markets through a package of services. Local manufacturers and exporters are invited to participate in international exhibitions and trade missions where they can connect with potential buyers."

Al Awadi stated that Dubai Exports aims to promote local UAE companies across specialised international exhibitions for sectors such as construction and building materials, retail, foods, food products and packaging as well as focus on other promising sectors through a series of trade missions and bilateral meetings in target markets. " Dubai Exports ' unrelenting efforts in product diversification and market expansion to cover emerging markets, the CIS markets in particular, will be strengthened in the coming years to take advantage of wide-ranging opportunities across different markets," he added.

Mohammed Ali Al Kamali, Director of Exports Market Development in Dubai Exports , said: "The average exports growth to Kazakhstan we achieved during 2011-2013 was 48% while re- exports to Azerbaijan grew 12% annually during the same period. Food exports to Russia increased 273% while food re-exports grew 122% between 2011 and 2013. It shows how critical and beneficial are the services Dubai Exports provides to local companies."

Kamali pointed out that Dubai Exports seeks to strengthen the position of Dubai and the UAE as a competent hub across overseas trade fairs and missions, including leading industry events in Azerbaijan, Kazakshtan and Russia. In BakuBuild trade fair in Azerbaijan Dubai Exports was honoured as the best pavilion in 2013, demonstrating the support and services provided by the agency to local companies in exports, logistics and market penetration. The Foundation will be held in the next stages of a series of trade missions to those countries.

Kamali added that Dubai and the UAE has a growing number of local firms capable of expanding to new markets owing to of their service excellence and diversity of the products offered.

In 2014 too Dubai Exports maintained its focus on Azerbaijan, Kazakshtan and Russia by organizing pavilions for local construction and building materials firms in the BakuBuild and KazBuild (Kazakhstan) exhibitions and for foods and food products companies in the World Food Moscow fair. More than 50 UAE companies participated in these events.