Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said a new government drive to safeguard supplies of essential products was developed to strengthen the UAE's response to challenges caused by Iran's “egregious attacks” on the country.
The senior Emirati minister said the National Programme to Strengthen Supply Chain Resilience in the UAE would address rising logistics and insurance costs, the closure of trading routes and disruption stemming from the conflict.
The launch of the programme comes as the world grapples with severe disruption to supply chains in vital goods due to the Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Dr Al Zeyoudi revealed more than 150 key commodities - which include food, medicine and industrial products - would be protected under the nationwide strategy, unveiled on Wednesday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
The full list of core products being supported under the scheme will be announced at the Make it in the Emirates event, which begins in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
“Under the directives of the UAE leadership, the nation will continue working with local, regional and global partners to develop an effective system capable of turning challenges into opportunities that support sustainable economic growth,” Dr Al Zeyoudi said in remarks carried by state news agency Wam.
Dr Al Zeyoudi said that while many of these goods are imported from specific markets, alternative sources have been identified to ensure continued availability.
He set out plans to localise the manufacturing of several of these staple products and explore further international investment opportunities to bolster supply chains.
The minister described the programme as a joint effort involving government and private sector entities, implemented through agreements with a number of countries and strategic partners to enhance preparedness.
He said the Emirates was committed to diversifying import sources, expanding global trade and investment partnerships, and advancing international co-operation to ensure sustainable access to vital goods.
Responding to global challenges
UAE authorities say the country has healthy stocks of food and medicine, despite the wide-ranging impact of the conflict.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism said at the onset of the Iran conflict that the UAE possessed a strategic stockpile of essential goods that can cover market needs for up to six months.
The new supply chain drive will focus on identifying priority products for the UAE, assessing their exposure to import risks, determining strategic markets and sources of supply, and establishing partnerships to ensure continuity of availability.
It will also explore opportunities to expand agricultural production and domestic manufacturing, while assessing investment prospects in key sectors that support long‑term supply chain sustainability and “create international partnerships with entities capable of large‑scale production and delivery”, the UAE Government Media Office said.
Delivering the goods
Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said on Thursday that the UAE's transport and supply chain system continues to operate efficiently.
Mr Al Mazrouei, also chairman of the Supply and Transport Committee, said the country had utilised delivery routes across land, rail and sea to keep operations running smoothly.
He explained that since the start of the Iran war, container handling has exceeded 262,000 containers, alongside the operation of approximately 4,800 trucks daily to strengthen connectivity between ports.
About 1,200 vessels have been deployed in UAE waters to ensure goods are delivered.
“The continuity of the transport and supply chain system reflects a high level of resilience in addressing regional challenges and enhances the efficient flow of goods," the minister said.
"This has been achieved through flexible infrastructure that supports the sustainability of supply chains, in addition to the diversity and integration of transport channels across maritime, land, and rail sectors.”
He told of how the Emirates has boosted access links between ports through an integrated trucking network, assisted by measures such as the lifting of restrictions on movement and fee exemptions.
