SUCCESS STORY
TBY talks to Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, on the company's achievements, its recent expansion, and attracting companies to KIZAD.

BIOGRAPHY
Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi is the CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports and is an experienced maritime executive with more than 18 years of industry experience. He joined the firm in 2008 and is also the Chairman of KIZAD Board of Directors and a board member of Etihad Airways. He holds an MBA and graduate certificate of Management from the University of Tasmania, Australia.Abu Dhabi Ports presented one of its best annual results to date in 2016. What were the major accomplishments for the company's development over this period?
Last year we had quite a successful run. At the time we closed our books, our performance for 2016 reflected a 152% increase in our net profit, 15% increase in revenue, and a 90% increase in our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBIDTA); our customs contribution jumped to 70%. We contributed 3% to non-oil GDP in 2015, and we expect the number to increase for 2016 once we obtain the results. We handled 1.54 million TEUs in 2016, reaching a total of more than 5 million since the inception of Khalifa Port in late 2012. We handled more than 17.8 million tons of general cargo and bulk, hitting the highest record in the Emirate, with a 16% increase. Cruise passenger traffic is also estimated to grow by 8% in 2016/2017, with over 250,000 cruises from 137 ship calls. We opened a new cruise beach destination in Sir Bani Yas Island and also completed the second phase of the warehouses in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) by adding an additional 64 warehouses. We leased more than 2.1sqkm in 2016. Furthermore, we continued to put Khalifa Port and Abu Dhabi on the map of global trade through a major agreement we signed with the Chinese company COSCO under the One Belt, One Road initiative, which has selected Khalifa Port to be its hub in the region.
Abu Dhabi has its eyes set on the exporting industries as a driver of economic growth. As the manager of the leading export hub in the country, how is Abu Dhabi Ports contributing?
Responding to the rising demand from both foreign direct and existing investors wanting to establish and grow their manufacturing and industrial business in UAE free zones, we have launched Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone, the largest free zone in the region with a total size of 100sqkm. We are currently in the process of leasing plots but this will take some time between signing the agreement and having factories up and running. We already signed a couple of agreements that will see 15-20 factories or logistics providers up and running, and when this area is fully built, the real contribution to GDP will be visible.
What would you like to attract to KIZAD that could take it to the next level when it is fully operational?
The beauty of KIZAD is that we made it in clusters that we defined according to Abu Dhabi's needs and the parameters of Vision 2030. KIZAD has highly targeted sectors coming into its facilities. On top of that, there are some sector-centric enablers such as EMAL for aluminum, Borouge for plastic and polymers, and other companies alike. We have already established the high-end players as anchors for other companies, so we are expecting the middle and low stream players related to these industries to follow suit. The plan is to have sectorial clusters and we are marketing all of these clusters in parallel. All of these industries are part of a bigger vision of what Abu Dhabi and the UAE needs in terms of industry and logistical providers.
The popularity of Khalifa Port has facilitated its prompt expansion. What have been the major advances in this regard?
The port is fairly new with just about four years of operations, but it has already stirred high demand. We recently expanded it by 1km and are also deepening the channel and the basin from 16.5m to 18.5m to cater to the biggest ships sailing today and in the foreseeable future. We added 1km of quay wall and the adjacent land, which is a substantial area as well. The agreement we signed with COSCO was also a motive for this expansion, as the deal will add 3.6 million TEUs per annum.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Inside Perspective
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister, UAE
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on the Smart Dubai Happiness Agenda, the standout projects over the last year, and the Year of Giving.
read articleProfile
Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler , Sharjah
Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has been instrumental in the growth and development of Sharjah, with his passion for academia a driving force in the growth of the knowledge economy.
read articleInside Perspective
Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, , Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler , Ras Al Khaimah
Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, on what makes the Emirate such a great place to visit, do business, and invest.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Ras Al Khaimah
TBY talks to Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, on the fundamentals behind the Emirate's strong growth and the work that goes into improving the economic outlook for the next generation.
read articleInterview
Christer Viktorsson, Directing General, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR)
TBY talks to Christer Viktorsson, Director General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), on the role of the institution in advancing the nuclear energy regulatory environment, the Barakah Power Plant, and the importance of an integrated network.
read articleInterview
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Directing General, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
TBY talks to Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), on opportunities in the sector and GCAA's contributions to the development of aviation in Abu Dhabi.
read articleInterview
Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General, UAE Space Agency
TBY talks to Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, on the mandate of the agency, cooperating with international space agencies, and developing a solid private ecosystem.
read articleInterview
Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Alshehhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy , UAE
TBY talks to Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Alshehhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy of the UAE, on the value of creativity, the development of the industrial sector, and supporting SME development.
read articleInterview
Mansour Al Mansoori, Directing General, National Media Council (NMC)
TBY talks to Mansour Al Mansoori, Director General of the National Media Council (NMC), on the changing nature of media consumption in the UAE, developing local content, and improving literacy in the Emirates.
read articleInterview
Khalifa Bin Salem Al Mansouri, , Undersecretary of the Department , Economic Development – Abu Dhabi (ADDED)
TBY talks to Khalifa Bin Salem Al Mansouri, Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi (ADDED), on its plans to make the Emirate a better place to do business, the new industrial plan, and how it is fostering innovation.
read articleInterview
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Group CEO & Managing Director, Mubadala Investment Company
TBY talks to Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Group CEO & Managing Director of Mubadala Investment Company, on how the merging of two key investment entities will drive Abu Dhabi's diversification strategy.
read articleInterview
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC Group)
TBY talks to Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC Group), on the significance of ADNOC Distribution's listing on ADX, investing in downstream, and the importance of strategic partnerships.
read articleInterview
Maryam Eid AlMheiri, CEO, Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi & twofour54
TBY talks to Maryam Eid AlMheiri, CEO of the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi & twofour54, on the growth and development of the Emirate as a media and film production hub, and the Emirati values she hopes to spread during the “Year of Zayed."
read articleColumn
Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President Operations and Development for the Middle East, India, and Africa, Swiss-Belhotel International
TBY talks to Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President Operations and Development for the Middle East, India, and Africa, Swiss-Belhotel International, on the sector.
read articleInterview
Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
TBY talks to Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, on boosting trade with Latin America, digitizing government services, and capitalizing on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
read articleInterview
Sami Al Qamzi, Directing General, Department of Economic Development (DED)
TBY talks to Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of the Department of Economic Development (DED), on transforming Dubai into a smart economy, creating the happiest city in the world, and securing a knowledge-based economy for the future.
read articleFocus: Global reach of DP World
A Whole New World
The familiar strategy of strong centralized leadership coupled with copious capital reserves and an aggressive acquisition strategy has lead DP World to global recognition within two decades. Today, the company's global positioning can be used as a tool for developing infrastructure in high-growth markets for the larger benefit of UAE investment and trade.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
TBY talks to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), on the establishment of the economic zone, the benefits of operating in the zone, and attracting international clients.
read articleInterview
Ramy Jallad, Group CEO , Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
TBY talks to Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), RAK Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ), and RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA), on the Emirate's comfortable position within the GCC, increasing investment, and upcoming projects.
read articleInterview
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson , Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)
TBY talks to Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), on the principles guiding Sharjah's economic development strategy, opportunities for private sector contribution, and the role of entrepreneurship in the Emirate.
read articleInterview
Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Chairman, Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD)
TBY talks to Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), on attracting FDI and optimizing customer satisfaction to support Sharjah's economic growth.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Mua’lla, Chairman, UAQ FTZ
TBY talks to Sheikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Mua'lla, Chairman of UAQ FTZ, on enacting the most investor-friendly set up processes, providing the right world-class amenities for long-term growth, and serving as a great impetus for industrial diversification.
read articleInterview
Saeed Nasser Al Talay, Chairman, Umm Al Quwain Chamber of Commerce and Industry
TBY talks to Saeed Nasser Al Talay, Chairman of Umm Al Quwain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on the biggest land investment opportunities, boosting investment in IT and construction, and on best PPP collaboration practices.
read articleInterview
Ali Eissa Alnuami, Directing General, Department of Economic Development-Ajman (DED-Ajman)
TBY talks to Ali Eissa Alnuami, Director General of the Department of Economic Development-Ajman (DED-Ajman), on increasing investor happiness, enhancing consumer rights, and treating foreigners like locals.
read articleFocus: Maritime Infrastructure
Big Impacts
The Ajman government is planning on building a new port in Al Zowra that will allow the Emirate to receive larger ships and handle a larger number of containers. The expected investment is AED2 billion (USD544 million) and is supposed to be complete by the third quarter of 2020.
read articleInterview
Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder & President, Thumbay
TBY talks to Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder & President of Thumbay, on helping build the Emirate's finest medical and educational facilities, expanding the medical tourism push from Africa, and making the right kind of generational impact.
read articleInterview
Mohammed O. Bin Majed Al Aleeli, Managing Director, Fujairah Department of Industry and Economy
TBY talks to Mohammed O. Bin Majed Al Aleeli, Managing Director of Fujairah Department of Industry and Economy, on supporting economic development, advancing oil transport services, and advising SMEs to draw attention to Fujairah.
read articleInterview
Khalid Mohammed Al Jassim, Directing General, Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
TBY talks to Khalid Mohammed Al Jassim, Director General of Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on facilitation of domestic and foreign business relations, Fujairah's advantages as an emirate, and opportunities for diversification.
read articleInterview
Dr. Salem Abdu Khalil Mohamed Al Zyni,, Technical Advisor , Fujairah at Fujairah Oil Terminals
TBY talks to Dr. Salem Abdu Khalil Mohamed Al Zyni, Technical Advisor for the government of Fujairah at Fujairah Oil Terminals, on getting vessels to switch from offshore to onshore, the cyclical nature of the industry, and staying one step ahead of clients' needs.
read article