Dubai Trade launches training and certification programme

Dubai Trade, the innovative online service provider of Dubai World, recently signed an agreement with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport-UAE (CILT-UAE) to launch a training and certification programme for supply chain professionals using the portal.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dubai Trade will work jointly with CILT-UAE to set up, integrate and implement a certified Dubai Trade professional training programme designed to provide advanced training in logistics, transport, e-services and allied areas.

The programme will lead to the awarding of a professional certificate to participants and accreditation to Dubai Trade and CILT-UAE.

The certification programme will benefit thousands of supply chain sector companies, such as importers, exporters, freight forwarders, clearing agents and haulers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Mahmood Al Bastaki, director, Dubai Trade, at a brief ceremony by Saeed Alqaizi, director, group procurement, contracts and general administration departments, Dubai World, Alexander Borg, regional director and co-ordinator of CILT-UAE and Mohsen Al Awadhi, board member of the CILT-UAE council.

Mr Al Bastaki said, "We strongly believe the certified Dubai trade professional training programme will lead to further streamlining of the trade facilitation process and satisfactory use of all e-services on Dubai Trade portal by our customers. The programme reflects Dubai Trade's commitment to serve the trade community and help drive it in Dubai. We are pleased to have CILT-UAE as our strategic partner in this corporate social responsibility initiative. We consider this agreement as a beginning and look forward to future enhanced collaboration and continuous support from CILT-UAE to present Dubai as the premier trade hub."

Mr Borg said the agreement was in line with their principal objective of promoting and encouraging the art and science of logistics and transport.

"Our strategic partnership with Dubai Trade is specifically tailored to impart professional training and raise awareness among different groups in the supply chain industry."

The Dubai Trade online portal offers a remarkably seamless business flow and proven cost-effectiveness for clients using its single window for trade. In 2009, Dubai Trade provided free training to more than 2,300 companies and saw to over 250,000 customer support inquiries.

Dubai Trade's contribution in facilitating smoother cross-border trade for the UAE has won special recognition in the World Bank's annual 'Doing Business 2010' report. The bank cited data on trade procedures provided by Dubai Trade as being invaluable in its evaluation process.

CILT is a worldwide organisation with an established international pedigree. CILT-UAE, established in 2002, provides quality training, distance education, qualifications programmes and training seminars in the area of logistics and transport.