EDC and ITFC host workshop for new entrants into the trade industry

Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC), an agency of the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), Government of Dubai, and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), an autonomous entity within the Islamic Development Bank Group, jointly organised and hosted a trade information sharing workshop for UAE businesses from 31st January to 2nd February, 2010, at the Raffles Dubai.

Following the success of a training session, also collaborated by EDC and ITFC, on export strategies and international marketing held last year in Egypt, this current workshop was intended to provide valuable knowledge and trade information to more than 20 companies and enterprises from various sectors in the trade industry.

“DED as the government body driving the economic agenda of Dubai is supporting the growth of strategic sectors by providing value-added services to our local businesses. Together with EDC and ITFC, we are giving practical training in export-related information to local companies as well as contribute to the UAE 2021 Charter that will create a competitive economy led by UAE nationals characterised by innovation and knowledge,” said His Excellency Mr Sami Al Qamzi, DED Director General.

Commenting on the workshop, Engineer Saed Al Awadi, CEO of EDC said, “With the growing number of opportunities for trade on a regional and global scale, there is a corresponding need for competent traders and enterprises in the industry. This information sharing workshop aims to create a collective pool of information, knowledge and ideas that will encourage new traders to set higher goals, and give them the confidence to achieve those goals.”

ITFC CEO Dr. Waleed Al Wohaib added, “The partnership with EDC has renewed our commitment towards the effective implementation of trade initiatives, and towards improvement of the performance of trader promoters in the region.”

The workshop attracted experts from the industry who are specialists in providing trade information, as well as heads of research and development teams.

Topics covered during the three-day workshop included identifying ways in which trade can be developed on a global scale; the role that information provided plays in facilitating and developing trade; market research, at the desk and on the field; and the use of the internet as an entry point for acquiring necessary information. Also included were the rules of business information; the need for the Trade Map database, for international trade traffic, and the Market Access Map database, for gauging forces of the market; and a ‘Practical Applications’ session recapitulated the topics discussed, as well as their practical value in the industry.

The trainees were awarded certificates on the last day of the workshop for their active participation and enthusiastic approach to learning.