Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of Dubai Economy, has been shortlisted for the World Trade Promotion Organisations Awards (WTPO Awards 2020) by the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the of the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations. Dubai Exports will compete with external trade promotion agencies from five other countries in the ‘Best use of Information Technology’ category of the Awards.

The Awards will be announced at the 13th WTPO Conference scheduled to be held in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on the 14th of October 2020. The conference will bring together more than 200 TPO representatives, policymakers and business leaders from over 70 economies.

The WTPO Awards recognise the role of institutions in the foreign trade sector as well as excellence across processes and practices adopted by TPOs in their export development initiatives. The 2020 Awards particularly look at practices that have contributed to strengthening the competitiveness of exporting enterprises or have made a positive change in this regard.

Engineer Saed Al Awadi, CEO of Dubai Exports said the Agency being shortlisted for the Awards is an international acknowledgementoftheSmart City vision of Dubai and the efforts to enable UAE enterprises to successfully compete in export markets globally.

“The increasing emphasis on digital readiness across services and processes in Dubai is a strategic asset for Dubai Exports in promoting Dubai as a global exports hub and a competitive source market for varied products. In fact, the technology advantage played a major role in enabling trade and exporters in the UAE to reaffirm their capabilities and stay connected to markets worldwide during the COVID-19 crisis. With 50% of the government services in the UAE set to be fully digital in two years, we will see new platforms that help further expedite trade through Dubai.”

Al Awadi added that the ‘Exporters Gateway’ portal launched by Dubai Exports last year to provide vital economic and trade data and information on sought-after UAE products has grown into a comprehensive knowledge platform facilitating exports from Dubai. The innovative portal uses a mix of digital content and technical solutions to enable local companies enter international markets by providing them with updated information on potential markets, sectors and buyers as well as partnerships and tools that support competitive exports.

Manufacturers, and exporters can access the portal – www.exportersgateway.com– to search for and identify opportunities around 60 products across seven key sectors in more than 40 target markets globally. The Gateway already has 200 companies registered, and more products, sectors and markets are being progressively added.

“Dubai Exports has made it a priority to empower the local exporter community and support buyers internationally through integrating tech innovations into our services, in line with the digital transition happening in the emirate. The current circumstances strengthen our resolve to launch more such initiatives that would help local businesses adapt quickly to changes globally, and we are encouraged by our efforts being recognised in the WTPO Awards,” added Al Awadi.

The WTPO Awards 2020 received 60 applications, the highest since the awards were created in 2004. The competition is open to all national trade promotion organisations that help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to become competitive in international markets.

In addition to ‘Best use of information technology,’ the Awards are also given for ‘Best use of a partnership’ and ‘Best initiative for inclusive and sustainable trade.’ The best use of IT is decided based on demonstrated improvements in efficiency through application of new technologies.

ApexBrasil (Brazil), China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), LEPL Enterprise Georgia, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), and Portugal Global – Trade & Investment Agency (AICEP) are the other TPOs shortlisted along with Dubai Exports in the IT category. The jury, chaired by ITC Executive Director Dorothy Tembo, included the 2018 award winners.

ITC assists MSMEs in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.