ADP to explore opportunities in regional, international markets

Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports (ADP), has said that the group aims to explore opportunities and partnerships in regional and international markets by signing international partnership agreements.

In his statement to the Emirates News Agency, Al Shamsi said the group’s investments will help improve the emirate’s stature as a key supporter of international trade and logistical services, in line with the group’s five joint strategic partnerships with the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) in Jordan.

Abu Dhabi Ports Group supports the national economy, accounting for 13.7 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP in 2020, and providing over 200,000 jobs in the UAE, as well as managing 55 per cent of overall industrial zones in the country, he added.

The strategic partnership agreements signed with the ADC aims to strengthen the deep-rooted ties between the UAE and Jordan, as well as support Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s global expansion plans by capitalising on the strategic location of Aqaba as a regional hub in the Red Sea to attract tourism from Europe, Al Shamsi said, noting that tourists are always keen to visit Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Petra in Jordan.

The Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports affirmed that mutual investments between the UAE and Jordan are valued at nearly $20 billion, and new projects will boost the value of Emirati investments in the kingdom.

“Abu Dhabi Ports Group is committed to strengthening our partnership with leading companies in Jordan and helping achieve their aspirations to reinforce Aqaba’s stature as a regional hub for trade, logistics, transport and tourism. We are confident that these projects are just the beginning of a fruitful future cooperation,” he added.

Meanwhile Etihad Airways and ADQ announced on Thursday a proposed transaction that will support the ongoing transformation of Etihad Airways and the future growth of the civil aviation sector in Abu Dhabi. As part of the proposed transaction, a number of Etihad’s businesses providing airline support services will become part of a new ADQ aviation company.

Once the transaction is complete, the airline support services businesses will benefit from being part of ADQ’s broad mobility and logistics portfolio, which includes Abu Dhabi Airports and AD Ports Group.

The businesses included in the proposed transaction are Etihad Engineering, Etihad Airport Services Cargo, Etihad Airport Services Ground, Etihad Aviation Training, Etihad Secure Logistics and Etihad Technical Training.

Additionally, the proposed transaction will see two Etihad businesses join Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (Adnec). Etihad Airport Services Catering will combine with Adnec’s catering business Capital Hospitality, and Etihad Holidays will join Adnec’s tourism promotion business, Tourism 365.

The proposed agreement marks the start of a new chapter for Etihad Airways, allowing the airline to further sharpen its focus on its core business and respond with greater agility to market opportunities as global travel demand rebounds from COVID-19.

Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, CEO of ADQ, said, “With the proposed addition of Etihad’s experienced aviation support businesses to our new dedicated aviation company, ADQ is primed to develop an integrated aviation platform that is driven by performance and a robust financial foundation through its new company.”

“With an integrated mobility and logistics portfolio that plays a leading role in the development of Abu Dhabi’s global connectivity, we are well-positioned to unlock the growth potential of these aviation services businesses. We see potential to capitalise on growth opportunities, attract a wider client base of airlines and drive the future expansion of Abu Dhabi’s aviation sector.”

Tony Douglas, Group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, said, “We’re excited to partner with ADQ on the next stage of our transformation. The past two years have changed the face of aviation and the proposed agreement marks a significant milestone in how we are repositioning Etihad Airways and our subsidiaries for long-term success.”

“This agreement will allow us to place 100 per cent of our focus on Etihad Airways to capitalise on recovering travel demand and will benefit our staff, the millions of guests who fly with Etihad Airways every year, and Abu Dhabi’s wider aviation sector. We are working closely with ADQ to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.”

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of Adnec, said, “The inclusion of Etihad Airport Services Catering and Etihad Holidays supports Abu Dhabi’s strategy which aims to achieve integration between various business units across exciting economic sectors. This move will enable us to go above and beyond the customers’ expectations by building on what has been done already. Our focus remains on achieving milestones and continuing to work to enhance competitiveness at the regional and international levels, as well as increase contributions to the economy of Abu Dhabi and support sustainable development.”