Global ports operator DP World and a Chinese commodities trading company signed an agreement to build a trading cluster at the Jebel Ali free zone, the Middle East's largest, topping off a slew of UAE-China deals this week.
The Dubai-based company and Zhejiang China Commodities City Group will build the "Traders Market" next to the Dubai Expo 2020 site, DP World said in an emailed statement on Thursday. It will include clusters of global traders in sectors ranging from household goods, building materials and food and beverage, to cosmetics, healthcare, energy and technology.
"Dubai and China have a long-standing trading history and it’s essential that we develop the movement of goods in tandem with the growing needs of consumers," Sultan bin Sulayem, chairman and chief executive of DP World said. "Initiatives such as these will create the trade hubs and seamless supply chain opportunities needed to capitalise on global economic growth."
The agreement is the latest in a series of UAE-China business deals announced this week amid a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the country. China is Dubai’s biggest trading partner, with total bilateral trade reaching Dh176.5 billion last year. China is looking to expand its international trade partnerships amid an escalating trade war with its US economic rival that culminated in tit-for-tat retaliatory tariffs.
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China visit:
The Great Wall and the Great Hall: Sheikh Zayed's landmark 1990 visit to China
Meet the Chinese community that makes up the fabric of the UAE
China and the UAE both proud to have enterprising and creative people
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The ‘Traders Market’ will help Chinese, local and international manufacturers capitalise on Dubai’s strategic location as a business and trade hub, DP World said. It will also enable trade within the GCC, Middle East, Africa and India Subcontinent, widening market reach for goods and serving as a platform to trade at competitive prices.
The agreement is another step to promote the Chinese government’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The partnership follows an agreement that was signed earlier this year between DP World and the Zhejiang Seaport Investment and Operation Group (ZPG) for a ‘Straight-through Warehouse’ project in Yiwu, China – which is the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities – for a warehouse that will hold cargo destined for Dubai and the Middle East.
The projects aim to boost trade between the UAE and China by offering Chinese businesses DP World’s logistics facilities, including cargo handling at their terminals in China and Jebel Ali Port , warehousing facilities in the neighbouring Jebel Ali Free Zone, one-stop customs clearance facilities and trade licenses.
SPECS
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Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
The biog
Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."
Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell
Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."
