Dubai’s expanding ties with Ukraine in focus at Kiev forum

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Dubai’s non-oil trade with Ukraine nearly doubled over between 2016 and 2018 to reach $571 million last year, while Ukrainian agricultural and metal exports dominated trade volumes.

Signalling expanding ties between businesses in Ukraine and Dubai, the trade figures were recently revealed at the 5th National Export Forum in Kiev, Ukraine, where representatives from Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Azerbaijan office delivered an informative presentation covering Dubai’s economy and business environment, as well as the various competitive advantages that the emirate offers exporters in different regions of the world.

Base metals, live animals and animal products, vegetable products, animal fats and oils and wood were among the most common Ukrainian exports to Dubai in 2018, the presentation revealed, while food security, cyber security, smart city solutions, healthcare, tourism and hospitality, retail, science and education were identified as key sectors and areas where businesses in Dubai and Ukraine can expand cooperation in the future.

Omar Khan, Director of International Offices at Dubai Chamber noted that the National Export Forum in Ukraine is an ideal platform to build relations with key public and private sector stakeholders, explore new business opportunities and promote Dubai as a preferred hub for trade companies in Eurasia that can benefit from the emirate’s strategic geographic location offering easy access to markets across the Middle East and Africa.

He noted that the forum comes at a time when Ukraine and other countries across Eurasia are pushing ahead with plans to boost foreign trade and diversify their export markets. He described Dubai as a global gateway for companies in these markets to expand their reach and invited Ukrainian companies to participate in Arab Health, Gulfood and GITEX Technology Week – three of the Middle East’s largest trade fairs held in Dubai annually, adding that participation in such events can open the door to lucrative business and partnership opportunities.

Organised jointly by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the 5th National Export Forum brought together more than 400 delegates from 12 countries, including Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, UAE, India, Canada, Nigeria and Italy. The annual forum aims to support Ukrainian exporters that are keen to expand their reach in foreign markets.

Separately, Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development, DED, in Dubai, led a group of food and beverage companies in the UAE to SIAL China, the largest food event in Asia, as part of its strategy to promote diverse exports as well as re-exports through Dubai and support local exporters expand to foreign markets.

With SIAL China focusing on food innovations, this year companies from the UAE displayed their ability to innovate in line with fast-changing consumer preferences. Al Malaky Honey from the UAE won two awards for its creations, including for its one-spoon honey popular with the young people who are always on the go.

Hunter Foods from the UAE also promoted its range of snacks that have a perfect balance between good taste and health. A range of organic and sustainable products including alternative proteins, vegetarian foods, and algae, were also brought to the exhibition from the UAE.

The exhibition, which was held in Shanghai, underlined sustained efforts by Dubai Exports to highlight the diverse export capabilities in Dubai and connect UAE traders to importers and suppliers in China and its neighbouring markets.

The Overseas Trade Office, OTO, of Dubai Exports in Hong Kong has so far supported 18 UAE companies penetrate the Asian market with 108 diverse products. The OTO in partnership with the UAE Consulate-General had also attended a workshop at an international culinary school in Hong Kong to promote halal products and the growing importance of Dubai as a halal hub.

SIAL China attracted over 120,000 visitors and 3,400 exhibitors eager to tap into the rising demand in Asia, which accounts for nearly half of the $108 billion (Dhs397 billion) global F&B market. Asia’s $52 billion (Dhs191 billion) F&B market is also estimated to grow at 10.1 percent annually to reach $76 billion by 2023, driven by a burgeoning middle class, which is the largest in the world.

Mohammed Al Kamali, Deputy CEO of Dubai Exports, said, “Asia is a significant opportunity for our companies to grow regionally and internationally. The Chinese food & beverage market alone is worth US$21 billion (AED77 billion), and that is 40% of the Asian market. At SIAL China we had with us the best and most competitive companies in the food & beverage sector so that that they can successfully enter Asian markets.”

Omar Al Ghfeli, Manager for Exhibitions and Trade Missions at Dubai Exports, added that the F&B sector in the UAE is a strong, vibrant and globally competitive industry.