UAE, 23 November  2019 – H.E. Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman of Federal Transport Authority (FTA) - Land and Maritime, recently met with H.E. Marek Gróbarczyk, Polish Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, to discuss ways on how to further strengthen bilateral relations between the UAE and Poland. Minister Al Nuaimi was accompanied by an official UAE delegation composed of officials from Abu Dhabi Ports, DP Ports, Sharjah Ports and Customs Department. The delegation was earlier received by Dr. Abdul Rahim Yousef Al Awadhi, UAE Ambassador to Poland.

Expressing his happiness to visit Poland, H.E. Al Nuaimi stressed on the UAE’s interest to further strengthen its ties with Poland, especially across various economic fields, including the maritime and land transport sectors.

H.E. said that having robust relations in the industry would serve their common interests, with both sides benefitting from the many opportunities to be brought forth by such ties. H.E. Al Nuaimi also took the opportunity to commend Poland for ensuring freedom of navigation and taking measures to facilitate and promote maritime transport.

During the visit, a series of meetings were held to discuss economic and trade relations and explore opportunities for Polish companies to invest in the UAE, especially in the infrastructure sector.  A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the UAE’s FTA - Land and Maritime and Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure Development to reinforce their maritime cooperation, including freedom of navigation. Both sides also agreed to take all necessary measures to facilitate and promote maritime transport, avoid unnecessary delays, simplify and speed up customs, and support the equal treatment and exchange of ships in their ports and territorial waters.

H.E. Al Nuaimi was confident that the MoU would fully benefit the stakeholders in the UAE’s maritime community, including dealers, sailors, ship owners, maritime agents, traders, exporters, and importers.

He added: “The agreement will also pave the way for more efficient exchange of information, promote maritime education and training, open new markets, and lead to faster issuance of electronic maritime documents and certificates related to goods, ships, and navigators. The MoU aims to accelerate the delivery of the best services in maritime transport in a cost-efficient manner.”