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FedEx: An Early Advocate of the UAE’s Potential
Federal Express, the world’s largest express transportation company, saw the UAE’s great promise as a logistics and transportation hub nearly twenty years ago. In 1989, FedEx opened its regional headquarters and gateway facility in Dubai. Today, Dubai is FedEx’s regional office for the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and Africa. FedEx also operates nine retail locations in the UAE – six in Dubai, two in Abu Dhabi, and a newly-opened office in Sharjah to serve the Northern Emirates.
“Dubai is the distribution hub for the Middle East, and with an annual growth rate in excess of 13 per cent a year, it is becoming an increasingly important player on the world stage,” says Hamdi Osman, FedEx Executive Vice President for the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa.
While FedEx has profited from its expanding UAE operations, it has also given back to the community. Last year, Dubai’s Department of Economic Development honored FedEx at the Dubai Quality Award Ceremony for its “investment in people.” In 2005, FedEx received a special citation from a local non-profit group, the Emirates Environmental Group, for its innovative paper recycling program. And later this year, FedEx will transport film reels, cameras and other production equipment for the annual Dubai International Film Festival.
Concluded Hamdi Osman, “We are very proud to be able to use our global transportation network to support Dubai’s vibrant culture and events such as the Dubai International Film Festival.”
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Lead writer for this issue of
US-Arab Tradeline was Mark Habeeb.
Editorial content provided by
Charles Kestenbaum and BKI, Inc.
US-Arab Tradeline
Designed and produced by
Rick Clark Illustration & Design
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Prime Minister Unveils Federal Government Strategy
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In a key address delivered in April 2007, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Prime Minister, Vice President, and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled a new government strategy for the Emirates. The address was attended by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, as well as the Rulers of the five other emirates and members of the federal cabinet.
Sheikh Mohammad emphasized that in order for the UAE to maintain its impressive growth while retaining a high quality of life, the nation must implement “best practices” in all economic sectors, including the administration of government. In particular, he called for significant improvements in the way that the UAE Government operates, including:
- Better cooperation between federal and local authorities;
- A revitalized regulatory role for ministries;
- Increased efficiency by government bodies to meet the needs of citizens;
- New civil service regulations focusing on competence, leadership training and Emiratization; and
- More empowered ministries that manage their activities more effectively in line with public policy.
Sheikh Mohammed did not shy away from voicing criticism – nor from setting very high standards and goals: “The Federation has spent hundreds of billions of dirhams on developing education, healthcare, housing, social welfare, culture, youth and sports,” he said. “However, despite the huge spending, the outcome has remained far below our aspirations.” He called for steps to dramatically improve the implementation of policies and to put in place quality control mechanisms.
Another important goal that Sheikh Mohammed discussed was Emiratization – the policy of replacing foreign workers, especially in knowledge-based positions, with UAE nationals. He said that Emiratization is necessary in order to build the nation’s knowledge economy and to ensure that UAE nationals serve as the key drivers of economic growth and development.
A key prerequisite for Emiratization, he suggested, is improved education: “Our youth should have the qualifications and expertise to compete in both government and private sectors,” said Sheikh Mohammed. Another requirement for successful Emiratization is policies that highlight the national identity,
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preserve the country’s cultural heritage, and encourage young people to become more active in their communities.
Fundamental to achieving all of these goals, said Sheikh Mohammed, is a federal government that can be a facilitator, not an inhibitor. He described his vision of how he would like to see the UAE Government evolve:
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“Our vision is that we become one of the best governments in providing quality services, nurturing creative minds, building national talent, innovating solutions and adopting international best practices. We want our government’s practices to be a benchmark that other countries adopt and emulate.”
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Addressing all UAE nationals – but especially the younger generation that will face the challenges of the future – Sheikh Mohammed said, “You should all shoulder the responsibility of developing your nation ... your own welfare and [the nation’s] success lie primarily in your own hands.”
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”We look forward in the future to seeing our sons and daughters playing a more active role broadening their participation in the process of development and shouldering their share of the responsibilities, especially in the private sector, so as to lay the foundations for the success of this participation and effectiveness. At the same time, we are greatly concerned to raise the standard and dignity of the work ethic in our society, and to increase the percentage of citizens in the labor force. This can be achieved by following a realistic and well-planned approach that will improve performance and productivity, moving towards the long-term goal of secure and comprehensive development.”
– H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
First President of the United Arab Emirates
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