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Hamdan bin Mohammed approves Dubai Marine Transport Master Plan 2030

DUBAI, 10th September, 2023 (WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has approved the Dubai Marine Transport Master Plan 2030.

The plan encompasses a 188 percent expansion of the marine transport network, a 400 percent increase in passenger lines, and the manufacturing of the world's first electric abra using 3D printing technology.
During his visit to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), His Highness reviewed the master plan for scaling up Dubai’s marine transport system through to 2030.

His Highness was given an overview of key aspects of the plan by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The plan targets a 51percent increase in the number of marine transport users, from 14.7 million to 22.2 million annually by 2030. Additionally, it outlines a 188 percent increase in the total length of the marine transport network, from 55 km to 158 km. Another key element of the plan will see marine transport stations go up from 48 to 79 stations along the Dubai Creek, Dubai Water Canal, the coastline of the Arabian Gulf and various waterfront projects in accordance with a well-thought-out strategy. The plan also includes increasing passenger transport lines from seven to 35, marking a 400 percent surge, besides expanding the marine transport fleet by 32 percent, from 196 to 258 marine vessels.
His Highness reviewed RTA’s initiative to manufacture the world's first electric abra using 3D printing technology in partnership with the private sector. Designed to carry 20 passengers, the 3D-printed boat features a design that melds aesthetics and heritage cues of the original abras. Aligned with the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, this initiative slashes manufacturing time by 90 percent and enables 30 percent cost savings.
His Highness also reviewed the operational metrics and performance of the Al Garhoud RTA Marine Maintenance Centre (for abras, ferries, and water taxis). The biggest marine maintenance facility in the region, it spans 5,000 square metres, comprising five distinct workshops, a 250-metre pier, a dock capable of accommodating boats up to 32 metres in length, a boat crane with a lifting capacity of up to 100 tonnes, three storage areas, zones designated for marine and external tasks, administrative spaces and an employee rest zone.
The workshop can accommodate 16 boats at a time. Since its inauguration in 2018, the workshop has aided 57 RTA marine transport craft to operate at peak efficiency and has been instrumental in providing technical training to UAE nationals specialising in marine transport maintenance. The workshop also slashed maintenance costs by about 50 percent, enhancing the quality of repairs, bolstering the operational readiness of various means of marine transport to 99% and prolonging the lifespan of ferries and water taxis by 25 percent. The workshop also ensures private abras crossing Dubai Creek have a safety cushion they can rely on and offers marine maintenance services to both government and private entities.
His Highness was also updated on the predictive maintenance system for marine transport modes which involves installing remote monitoring devices and sensors on board marine transport modes. This helps with conducting rigorous testing to validate the precision of data, thereby greatly enhancing safety. The benefits of the system include achieving a 99 percent rating on the marine transport availability index, through predictive troubleshooting, precise scheduling of maintenance works, minimising operational downtime, efficient inventory management and meticulous planning of spare part requirements to avoid the stockpiling of materials. RTA is planning to introduce a real-time monitoring system empowered by Artificial Intelligence to analyse data, predict faults and plan ahead for potential spare part requirements.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed was also apprised about the trial run of the world's first autonomous electric abra. In its initial phase, the abra successfully cleared Level 4 of the International Driving Automation Index out of a possible six levels. The trials involved operating the abra entirely autonomously and without the need for a captain between Al Jaddaf Station and Dubai Festival City Marine Transport Station, adhering to the route with 100 percent accuracy. Efforts are currently underway to successfully complete Level 5 of the Index by 2024.
“The autonomous electric abra was crafted locally, thanks to the dedication of the RTA team. In its design and production, emphasis was placed on retaining the abra's heritage identity. The abra boasts a host of advanced features highlighted by zero carbon emissions, operating and maintenance cost savings of 30 percent and the elimination of noise compared to diesel-powered abras. Equipped with two electric motors, it is capable of achieving a maximum speed of seven knots. It is fitted with an autonomous control system and four lithium batteries that ensure an operating time of seven hours. RTA adopted new technologies to design the structure of the autonomous electric abra and used fibreglass in the hull to reduce its weight,” explained Al Tayer.
Woman captain waiting in the wings
During the visit, His Highness met with Hanadi Mohammed Al Doseri, the first Emirati woman to captain a mass marine transport vessel. Al Doseri recounted her journey towards securing the qualifications needed to pilot sub-200 tonne ships on coastal voyages. His Highness expressed his appreciation for the outstanding example set by Emirati women in various fields and their relentless pursuit of excellence. He commended Al Doseri for her accomplishments and wished her continued success in her career.
Al Doseri’s qualifications include five safety training certificates compliant with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). In addition, Al Doseri has successfully completed three months of maritime service and has received two more specialised training certificates. She is also licensed to pilot marine craft in the 12-metre and 24-metre categories. To enhance her practical skills, she underwent a comprehensive five-month training programme aboard the Dubai Ferry. Subject to a successful candidate evaluation in December, Al Doseri is on track to secure a license for piloting sub-200-tonne ships on coastal journeys.

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Emirates

World Free Zones Organization Launches its New Corporate Identity

The World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) has launched its new corporate identity, which coincided
with its 10th anniversary. The launch came during the 10 th World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) World Congress in Dubai held under the theme ‘Zones and the Shifting Global Economic Structures – Unlocking New Investment Avenues’, In conjunction with the launch of its new corporate identity, the World FZO announced its new vision, mission, and purpose. Its new vision focuses on driving global economic progress, sustainability, and inclusive growth through empowered free zones, setting the benchmark for economic advancement. As part of its new mission, the World FZO aims to engage with free zones from around the world by supporting them through knowledge
sharing, networking, advocacy, and consulting, enhancing their positive impact and contributions to economic and social development in their respective countries.
The World FZO reaffirmed its commitment to its core values while enhancing its approach by adopting the
latest practices and keeping pace with rapid global changes. This forward-thinking approach enables the
organisation to reshape prevailing perceptions and highlight its distinctive and innovative methods.
With its new identity, the World FZO also emphasise its dedication to launching purposeful and transparent initiatives that solidify its role as a catalyst for positive change on the global stage.
The organisation’s new corporate identity represents its three strategic pillars: Impact, Influence, and Trust. Its focus on Impact will drive sustainable growth and effectiveness, ensuring that free zones remain at the forefront of socio-economic development and innovation. Under its second pillar, Influence, it seeks to shape the future of global trade and investment by advocating for policies that foster growth and opportunity for businesses and communities. Furthermore, by building Trust, the organizations will reinforce its role as a steadfast ally, providing the advocacy needed to navigate an increasingly complex and evolving global landscape. The organisation’s key objectives for its new phase include opening new investment horizons and reinforcing social contributions by supporting net-zero initiatives.
The World FZO remains focused on fostering trade relations and partnerships between economic zones in its member countries, while broadening its activities to encompass emerging economic sectors. These sectors align with the demands of the era, including artificial intelligence, digital trade, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and advanced technologies.

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Emirates

Dubai Customs Launches Innovative Training Program to Enhance Emiratisation Efforts

– Specialized Vocational Program Under "Masar 33" Aims to Train and Employ 80
Citizens
– Sultan Bin Sulayem: Our Plans Align with National Vision and Goals
– Abdulla Mohammed Busenad: A Strong Commitment to Supporting
Nationalization Efforts in the UA

Dubai Customs is launching a significant initiative to train and employ 80 new high school graduates as “Customs Inspectors.”in line with the vision of the Dubai government and contributing to the goals of the Dubai Economic and Social Agenda, along with the leadership’s commitment to invest in citizens and increase Emiratisation rates.
This initiative is part of the department’s commitment to enhance the participation of citizens
in the economic development process and to support the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan goals
by investing in the youth and equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to
keep pace with global changes. The department has allocated a vocational program in
customs inspection for candidates selected from Ru’ya Careers UAE 2024, providing them
with professional training for seven months both domestically and internationally before they
take up available positions. This initiative is part of the pioneering “Masar 33” program
designed to meet Dubai’s agenda goals by mobilizing all resources and development plans
to ensure the highest quality of life for citizens in the emirate. “Masar 33″aims to enhance
the competitiveness of Emirati talent through various initiatives, professional programs, and
scholarships, establishing Dubai Customs as a cornerstone for advancing the national
human development system, boosting its efficiency and productivity, and increasing its
participation in economic sectors to meet Dubai’s leading aspirations for the future.

Program Objectives:
The vocational program aims to nurture and train new high school graduates by enhancing
their professional skills in line with the Dubai government’s vision. It seeks to integrate
citizens into the labor market from early stages, ensuring their future success and
competitiveness. Additionally, it focuses on building the capabilities of customs inspectors on
scientific and advanced training foundations to address security risks and protect the
community and economy from customs evasion and smuggling, achieving a 100%
nationalization rate in customs inspection at Dubai Customs.

Active Participation:

H.E. Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports,
Customs and Free Zone Corporation, stated that the organization is committed through its
various initiatives and programs aimed at training and qualifying citizens to actively
contribute to the success of the UAE’s national vision, which is fundamentally based on the
Emirati workforce. He praised Dubai Customs for diversifying its projects in line with the
Dubai government’s plan and its social and economic agenda, enhancing the
competitiveness of citizens in the labor market for both the public and private sectors under
an ambitious strategy to encourage and promote nationalization policies.

Attracting Citizens:
H.E. Dr. Abdulla Mohammed Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, emphasized that
the department provides a range of specialized programs at the highest levels to attract
young citizens and involve them in the development process. Through “Masar 33” which
aligns with the objectives of the Dubai agenda and the leadership’s vision for enhancing
nationalization in both the public and private sectors, the programs enable citizens to gain
knowledge, field experience, and technical skills necessary for joining the labor market
through the approved career path. He noted that the initiative to train recent high school
graduates in customs professions builds upon Dubai Customs’ previous achievements in
qualifying citizens and the positive results attained through a series of diverse programs
covering the most in-demand job sectors. The department remains committed to enhancing
the efficiency of citizens and providing them with the professional opportunities they seek,
reinforcing its commitment to supporting nationalization efforts in the UAE.

Four Pillars:
Mohammed Al Ghaffari, Executive Director, Human Resources Division at Dubai Customs,
announced the opening of applications for the customs inspector training program during the
Ru’ya Careers UAE 2024 and provided the link to the official Dubai Government Jobs
website. The program is designed around four main pillars: digital skills programs, behavioral
programs, customs science programs, and security programs, alongside practical training in
the department’s customs centers and external training in collaboration with strategic
partners, which includes a comprehensive professional guidance program. He stated, “The
programs provided by Dubai Customs are increasingly popular among young citizens,
confirming the success of the department’ efforts in attracting national talent to shape future
leaders in customs work through various academic and specialized professional paths. This
offers new graduates the opportunity to qualify for roles in Dubai Customs, with 80 vacancies
allocated for graduates of the customs inspector training program.”

 

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Emirates

DCO Secretary-General commends Global Digital Compact at Summit of the Future

Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the
Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), said that “the digital divide the world faces today is
multifaceted, encompassing gaps in digital intelligence, computing capabilities, gender, and
skills,” in a speech at the Summit of the Future held during UNGA79 in New York.
In her speech, delivered after the UN General Assembly adopted the & Pact for the Future’ and the
‘Global Digital Compact’, AlYahya warned that “The AI and computing divide represents a
significant barrier, as some nations advance rapidly in AI innovation and deployment, while
others struggle to keep pace.
At the same time, the gender digital divide continues to limit women’s access to technology and
opportunities, and the skills divide leaves many without the digital competencies essential for
success in a fast-evolving economy. If we do not address these interconnected challenges, we
risk leaving entire communities behind.”
AlYahya praised the Global Digital Compact for “lays out an ambitious roadmap for an
inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all,” emphasizing that “It is a
bold vision, but the real challenge is translating these goals, principles, objectives, and
commitments into action, especially as we strive to achieve the SDGs.”
AlYahya highlighted that “at the Summit of the Future, the DCO proudly launched the Digital
Economy Navigator (DEN), an innovative tool that provides detailed insights on digital economy
performance across 50 countries. This initiative is just one of the many ways we are turning the
principles of the Global Digital Compact into action.”
She explained that “while DEN is a vital resource, it is only the beginning. In the spirit of
networked multilateralism, we must foster collective efforts to the GDC’s ambitious goals,
objectives, and commitments. I call upon every country, organization, and individual to join
forces in this critical endeavor.”
The Digital Economy Navigator (DEN) evaluates digital economy performance through three
intersecting dimensions: Digital Enablers, Digital Business, and Digital Society. Within these
dimensions, 10 pillars synthesize and summarize key aspects of countries’ digital economy, and
use of digital technology application from 102 indicators gathered from respected secondary data
sources, in addition to proprietary survey data of more than 27,000 participants across the 50
countries.
In addition to the launch of the DEN, on the sidelines of UNGA, DCO signed an agreement with
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to enhance digital cooperation and accelerate
digital transformation across the world, to support efforts aimed at achieving the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
It also signed a memorandum of understanding with the League of Arab States (LAS) to
accelerate the inclusive and sustainable digital economy, enhance relations and exchange experiences and knowledge, and accelerate the process of digital transformation and economic development.

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