AD Ports Group, Iraqi company to promote trade cooperation

AD Ports Group, the leading global driver of trade and logistics, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) to promote increased cooperation between the two organisations within the fields of transportation and maritime.

Facilitated during a recent visit of a high-level delegation led by the Iraqi Minister of Transportation, the MoU was signed by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO, AD Ports Group, and Dr Farhan Muhesen Al Fartosi, Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, in the presence of Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Nasser Hussein Al Shebly, Iraq’s Minister of Transportation.

Also present at the signing were Taleb Abdullah Bayesh, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation for Technical Affairs; Dr Mudhafar Mustafa Al Jubouri, Iraq’s Ambassador to the UAE; Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail; and Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group.

Set for an initial period of 12 months with a clause for automatic renewal, the MoU will see the exchange of expertise and best practices by both organisations. Additionally, AD Ports Group will conduct feasibility studies on the management and operation of the General Company for Ports of Iraq’s ports and economic zones and other infrastructure, while also exploring potential investment opportunities.

As part of its scope, AD Ports Group will also develop national infrastructure, such as roads and rail networks, which will connect Al Faw Ports in Iraq with markets in Jordan and Turkey, while simultaneously financing the feasibility studies stated in the MoU.

Commenting on the MoU, Al Mazrouei said, “In line with the wise leadership’s vision, the signing of this MoU exemplifies the UAE’s drive to enhance cooperation with sister Arab states. Leveraging the lessons learned as part of our nation’s pursuit to develop strategic sectors and build frameworks that contribute to the economic and social development of the UAE, we are transferring this invaluable knowledge to our kin in Iraq in order to support the formulation of a diverse and sustainable economy in Iraq.”

For his part, Al Shebly said, “It is our privilege to announce the start of this new cooperation with AD Ports Group. The MoU will serve as the starting point for future collaboration that will drive the development of a wide range of services, while also supporting investors across both our proud nations. It also sets the foundation to foster an Arabi ports’ ecosystem that can cater to the increasing global demands of this sector and keep pace with ambitious plans of the governments in Iraq and the UAE.”

Captain Al Shamisi noted, “The signing of this strategic MoU with the General Company for Ports of Iraq is a vital step in the efforts to enhance our regional and global status within the maritime transportation and logistics industries. We are confident that the cooperation with Iraq will serve as the foundation of a promising future of success and developmental opportunities that will benefit both nations. It will also enhance trade and the flow of foreign investments to Iraq and will elevate the quality of maritime transportation and logistics services available in the region.”

Dr Al Jubouri said, “The Iraqi Embassy succeeded in convening this meeting at a very short notice, and it led to the signing of this MoU that will benefit the two sister states. The embassy was also successful in promoting cooperation between the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation on the one hand, and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in the UAE and AD Ports Group on the other, and we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the active collaboration of our Emirati peers, and we are aiming to strengthen our close ties in the near future.”

Dr Al Fartosi commented, “We are pleased to sign this MoU with a leading entity like AD Port Group, a titan with a rich history within the Middle East’s maritime transportation and logistics segment. Capitalising on its robust portfolio of service capabilities and world class infrastructure, we fully expect to see our ports and transportation ecosystem in Iraq rise to new heights in the coming years. We look forward to promoting our cooperation with the UAE in order to foster the strategic position of the Arab Gulf region across the global supply chain.”

WAM