Dubai - a leading business hub in the region - saw a significant jump in its electronics and information technology trade in the first half of this year.

Official records show that the emirate's electronics trade reached Dh134.5 billion in the first six months of 2017. These amounted to Dh86.8 billion for imports against Dh47.7 billion for exports and re-exports.

Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said Dubai plays a pivotal role in sustaining and developing the information technology sector.

"Dubai has succeeded in keeping abreast with the technology sector and implementing advanced technologies to sustain and support economic development in line with the directives of the prudent leadership."

Among the most advanced applications and services adopted are Mirsal-2, the electronic declaration system integrated into Dubai Trade's unified portal, and the Smart Risk Engine which reveals suspected goods and counterfeit products, he explained.

"Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority provides advanced logistic services, including 'LogiGate Transport' and 'LogiGate Warehousing', to manage land transportation and warehousing bookings - both accessible online and on smart phones."

Bin Sulayem said China topped the list of Dubai trade partners with Dh53.3 billion in imports, followed by Vietnam (Dh14.4 billion), US (Dh2.3 billion), South Korea (Dh2.14 billion), and Japan (Dh1.64 billion).

"As for exports and re-exports, Saudi Arabia was on top hitting Dh9.5 billion, followed by Iraq (Dh3.86 billion), Kuwait (Dh2.7 billion), Egypt (Dh2.22 billion), and the US (Dh1.4 billion)."

Dubai's initiatives to turn it into the smartest city in the world have helped it enhance its status in the international trade, he underlined. "The value of Dubai trade in mobile phones reached Dh75.9 billion, laptops Dh11 billion, and desktops Dh2.3 billion."

Bin Sulayem expected more momentum and further growth in the information and technology sectors in the coming years, taking into account the big projects and preparations afoot for the Dubai Expo 2020. "These will include development of new cities and tourism and business facilities."

Source: Khaleej Times