Sheikh Mohammed hails UAE's home-grown success on tour of thriving tea and coffee centres

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai highlighted the country's investment in its business resources during visit to Dubai Multi Commodities Centre in Jebel Ali

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid hailed the UAE's thirst for home-grown success after serving up his support for the country's thriving tea and coffee industry.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai highlighted the importance of the nation achieving its economic goals during a tour of the tea and coffee centres at the heart of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre in Jebel Ali.

The sprawling free zone supports thousands of companies operating in a range of commercial fields, from hot beverages and foods to gold and diamonds.

Sheikh Mohammed was joined by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.

"The UAE has established an important trust balance as an economic centre with a global weight and a reliable partner at all times," said Sheikh Mohammed.

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"We have invested over many years in establishing an infrastructure and legislative infrastructure for which all elements of excellence have met to serve our national goals and support the businesses of local companies."

Sheikh Mohammed began his visit by inspecting the coffee centre which opened its doors last February and is the first of its kind in the Middle East.

The 7,500 square-metre facility provides a host of tailored services, including receiving and storing green coffee, evaluating samples, roasting and packing.

The Dubai Ruler enjoyed a close look at warehouses boasting the capacity to store 9,500 tonnes of goods each year before being brought up to date on the wide variety of coffees sourced from across the globe.

Sheikh Mohammed also inspected the coffee quality lab, where expert taste buds put products to the test before they are deemed ready for sale, and the barista training institute.

Staff told of how the centre aims to expand its operations, with the eventual goal of processing 20,000 tonnes of green coffee at a value of Dh367 million.

Sheikh Mohammed also visited the DMCC tea centre, which was established in 2005 and has played a key role in cementing the UAE's position as the largest site for re-exporting tea globally with a market share of 60 per cent with exports of about 48,000 tonnes of tea annually.

Sheikh Mohammed cast his eye over the advanced production lines in which tea is processed and inspected the tea and taste quality lab.