UAE's contributions to Belt and Road Initiative brought to limelight

The UAE delegation participating in the Belt and Road Conference in Hong Kong stated that the Belt and Road initiative launched by China several years ago, which aims to develop commercial roads and economic corridors linking 60 countries, highlights the UAE’s position as an ideal destination for investments, not only from the region but also from around the world.

The UAE delegation was chaired by Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary for Foreign Trade and Industry Sector at the Ministry of Economy, and included several senior officials and businessmen.

In their statements to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, at the end of the conference, the members of the UAE delegation stressed that the UAE’s significant participation in this international event reflects the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative and the UAE’s leading role in its realisation, given its unique infrastructure, its attractive investment environment and its leading strategic position.

Al Saleh stressed that the UAE is prioritising the Belt and Road Initiative, considering the significant developments in UAE-Chinese economic relations. He added that the conference has provided an ideal platform to showcase the UAE’s unique investment environment and its major investment opportunities for various investors.

Mohammed Nasser Hamdan Al Za'abi, Director of Commercial Promotion and Investment Administration at the Ministry of Economy, stated that the UAE currently has a unique investment environment, due to the support of the wise leadership.

Eng. Saed Al Awadhy, Executive Director of Dubai Exports, stressed that the Belt and Road Initiative is a great opportunity for Emirati companies to benefit from economic and other opportunities in over 60 countries, which account for over 40 percent of the world. He also noted that Dubai is geographically located in an exceptional position to support this initiative, especially due to its excellent infrastructure and logistical communication with all global markets.

Mohammed Juma Al Musharrakh, Director of the Sharjah Office for Foreign Direct Investment, Invest in Sharjah, stressed that the Belt and Road Conference is among the most important international events linking the Middle East to Asia, and is an important platform to attract Chinese companies.

Sarah Mohammed Al Dhaheri, Representative of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC, stated that the Belt and Road Conference has also provided an ideal platform to promote major investment opportunities in the UAE.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a major development strategy launched by Xi Jinping, President of China, in 2013, which includes establishing greater communication and co-operation between its participating countries, especially between China and the countries of Europe and Asia, through two major routes - the "Land Silk Road Belt" and the "Sea Silk Road." Through this initiative, Beijing aims to strengthen its commercial and economic links between Asia, Europe and Africa.

The UAE and China are working closely to improve the trade roads and corridors between the initiative’s sphere of influence and its various international commercial and economic blocks, in light of the UAE’s strategic geographical location at the centre of Asia, Europe and Africa, and due to its considerable experience as an important centre of logistical services