46 MARASINEWS.COMJANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 47

ing a world-class maritime cluster, we have upheld our strong presence as an integrated service provider with well-established capabilities.

What steps have you taken to fos-ter smart operations for DMC’s partners?

We have successfully developed both our commercial district and in-dustrial precincts to attract foreign and local investment opportunities. This will help establish and achiev in-ternational recognition for Dubai as a city, and the UAE as a whole, as an elite maritime environment.

Moreover, we have facilitated busi-ness with customers through “Tah-weel” so they can easily complete their transactions online using the Tahweel online portal, without hav-ing to visit the customer service cen-tres. The integration also allows DMC customers to benefit from the vari-ous online payment options offered by Rosoom, by using local and inter-national Visa or MasterCard credit cards, e-Dirham or direct debit from bank accounts.

How does DMC’s forward thinking culture reflect its diverse range of facilities to accurately represent Dubai?

We understand the value of focus-ing on the present as equally as the future. This involves continually seek-ing ways to innovate, optimize opera-tions, and reduce costs in addition to finding ways to continue adding value to Dubai’s economy and maritime sector to make it eternally attractive for investment and business oppor-tunities.

Keeping this in mind, we started the “Maerifa”event in 2016 as a plat-form for DMC business partners to network, promote their products and services, share their expertise and tackle common challenges. Each

year we have successfully gathered over 200 companies in an environ-ment where we welcome and encour-age suggestions, and creative input, from our partners to provide creative services that will meet their expecta-tions.

Since the UAE has one of the rich-est maritime heritages, it deserves a major celebration to reflect how the country has progressively developed. Thus, we are also planning to open a new state-of-the-art maritime herit-age museum that contains outstand-ing collections from all over the world.

To what extent has DMC succeeded in providing competitive facilities to make it a true maritime cluster?

Over the years, our industrial pre-cinct which consists of marine ser-vices primarily dealing with ship lifts, ships and yachts repair plots, ware-houses, and workshops has been highly active. Regional businesses have been able to operate and ef-fectively conduct business through these facilities, and a familiar indus-try name like Albwardy Damen has even recently opened a facility in our precinct too. Other companies such as Goltens, Viking Group, Grandweld Shipyards and Standford Marine have also been operating effectively.

Can you further elaborate on DMC’s commercial facilities?

Our commercial facilities encom-pass a mixed used area of retail, residential offices and a promenade.

We seek to build upon this by now focusing on further developing our commercial district. As a result, we currently have one project under construction, which is by Omniyat, and it is targeted to be ready by end of 2019.

As per Dubai Maritime City’s ini-tial plan to establish the district as a maritime business centre, we have taken a necessary step in establishing a Labour Accommodation, which is projected to be ready by Q4 of 2020. This will offer ease of access to more than 10,000 workers by simplifying the commute from their housing ac-commodation to their place of work. Not only will this will be beneficial to laborers who can reduce costs and save times in their daily lives, but it will also sustain Dubai’s growth plans. We are also planning to establish a DMC training facility, which aims to technically qualify our partners and their employees.

Can we have an overview about DMC’s growth in 2018 compared to 2017?

Dubai Maritime City has succeeded in increasing its occupancy rate to 77.6% compared to 72.4 in 2017. We have successfully registered 61 new international and local companies in 2018 and we rented approximately 12 new offices recently. Our growth rates will contribute to a number of effective projects for both our com-mercial districts and industrial pre-cincts..

IN-DEPTH

MARASINEWS.COM 4746

DMC achieves constant success with remarkable growth rates of 77.6% in 2018

How does DMC’s strategic location capitalize on Dubai’s strength to position it as a premium hub?

Over the last three decades, Dubai has changed dramatically to become a major business centre with a more dynamic and diversified economy. The Emirate’s key pillars consisting of logistical and operational costs and excellent infrastructure, interna-tional outlook and liberal government policies have attracted investors one year after another.

By being a national symbol that connects waters with trade, Dubai has facilitated the establishment of

Dubai Maritime City in a strategic geographical location surrounded by Dubai Drydocks World and Port Rashid. DMC has become a pathway for vessels coming from the East and West, and this has had a significant impact on its success to sustain a global position worldwide as a pre-ferred destination and an integrated platform for international companies.

DMC’s suitable environment for investments have maintained our achievements by guaranteeing inter-national standards, quality of knowl-edge, distinctive experience, advanced technology and integrated services. Furthermore, in our objective of be-

Developing DMC’s property is one of the steps taken in order to reach its goal of being a world- class maritime cluster. In an exclusive interview with Marasi News, Capt. Rado Antolovic, CEO of Dubai Maritime City, elaborated on the company’s mandate to provide a convenient and safely built environ-ment for all of its business partners.

Capt. Rado AntolovicCEO of Dubai Maritime City

We aim to be a global hub for innovative maritime industries, and a preferred

destination for international companies looking for an integrated environment suitable for growth and sustainability

By Effat Mostafa