DLC to boost Gulf imports

“Gulf imports reached an astonishing $320 billion [Dh1.17 trillion] by the end of 2007. Dubai will be positioned to capture a major part of this business through DLC, which provides innovative opportunities for a constraint-free business environment in terms of legal, logistics, commercial and infrastructure offerings,” he said.

His statement came on the eve of the Gulf Logistics Forum, taking place from today in Dubai.

Proffitt, DLC’s CEO, will also focus on the role of Dubai’s new airport in Jebel Ali – DWC-Al Maktoum International Airport – set to be the world’s largest, in driving that growth.

DLC, a key component of Dubai World Central (DWC), the huge 140 square kilometre urban aviation project, has been instrumental in attracting more than 150 of the world’s top logistics and supply-chain companies in making Dubai their regional operations hub.

“The region has seen tremendous growth in imports and exports over the past decade, which has called for increased logistics solutions through key regional hubs such as Dubai,” he said. “DLC offers a unique opportunity to regional and international companies to establish their regional headquarters in the fast developing supply chain community.”

DLC officials will meet several regional and international players at the conference who have shown interest in DLC’s unique business proposition. More than 275 professionals visiting the event will get a first-hand exposure to the world-beating logistics platform model.

“In close proximity to DWC-Al Maktoum International Airport, DLC will empower Dubai in creating value for the supply chain community and the aviation sector,” said Proffitt.

“Once completed, DLC will be the only such centre in a concentrated form to house all logistics companies and associated businesses under one roof. A multi-modal free zone environment makes the project even more attractive to global logistics companies looking for centralised solutions.”

DLC will be operational by end-2008 when first cargo flights are expected to land at DWC-Al Maktoum International Airport.

DWC is being built 40km from the existing Dubai International Airport the project is almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island.

DWC creates a new benchmark in urban planning and destination living designed to support Dubai’s aviation, tourism, commercial and logistics requirements until 2050 and represents one of the most important developments in the history of the UAE. Eventually home to 900,000 people, DWC will be true city-within-a-city with all the amenities that make up a world-class residential destination.

DLC will be part of the world’s first integrated multi-modal logistics platform in a single-bonded free zone environment made up of DLC, JXB and Jebel Ali Port. It is designed as the region’s unchallenged logistics hub catering to about two billion people throughout the Middle East, the Indian Sub-continent, Africa and the CIS.