Ukrainian President and DP World chairman discuss maritime logistic collaboration

November 6, 2017: President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko toured DP World’s flagship Jebel Ali Port and Free zone recently and met with the global trade enabler’s Group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem. This is as part of his official visit to the UAE to discuss bilateral cooperation in politics, security and foreign investment.

Discussions focused on ways to grow Ukraine’s maritime and logistics sector with the possibility of DP World participating in the concession of the State Port Yuzhny, and collaboration on technology-driven customs operations in Ukraine and other opportunities.

Last year, DP World signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Ukraine to partner on matters of mutual interest.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem said, “We’re pleased to welcome President Petro Poroshenko to Jebel Ali, where DP World’s rise as a global trade enabler began. Jebel Ali prospered because of its geographic location as a gateway to the region, and we see this hub potential in the port cluster on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast too. Ukraine has a promising logistics sector, and with the right environment for economic development that’s supported by favourable foreign and domestic policies, it can grow substantially.

“DP World will focus on upgrading existing ports with innovative tech-based and smart solutions, developing local talent, sharing international best practice and investing in the growth of small and new trade enabling services to create seamless trade flows. Efficient infrastructure and services along multi-modal transport links are essential to profitable trade growth. We look forward to building on our excellent relations with the government of Ukraine and to support their goals for economic growth.”

DP World enjoys a strong presence in the Black Sea region with its Constanta Terminal in Romania and a state-of-the-art facility with excellent deep-draft access, and the MoU with Ukraine reinforce its commitment to developing world-class logistics facilities in the region.

Ukraine-UAE economic cooperation has been strengthening in recent years, with Ukrainian exports to the UAE increasing by almost 60 percent during the first five months of 2017. Trade between Dubai and Ukraine amounted to more than AED 1 billion in 2016, with the majority being imported to Dubai, followed by exports and re-exports. Total trade in the first half of 2017 was over AED 748 million.