Abu Dhabi Ports on Saturday announced that it has embarked on a wide-ranging network service upgrade across ZonesCorp, part of the Industrial Cities & Free Zone Cluster of Abu Dhabi Ports, to ensure non-stop gas supply to its customers.

The system modernisation will take place over the next several months as part of a continuous comprehensive zone development plan, which will serve to reduce risk by protecting ZonesCorp’s customer facilities to ensure an uninterrupted flow of gas to more than 700 manufacturing industries across the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD).

Upon completion, customers will benefit from operating within a highly optimised data-driven network, together with detailed gas consumption and consumer analytics. The network upgrade will also ensure greater energy efficiencies in line with the highest international safety and maintenance standards.

Abdullah Al Hameli, Head of the Industrial Cities and Free Zone Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “The enhancement of the gas network within our zones is part of a larger development plan aimed at providing the best services and infrastructure to our customers. We aim to maintain the highest standards in service by collaborating with premier service providers so that our valued customers can be assured of a risk-free and uninterrupted gas supply.

“By reaching this development milestone, we will be safeguarding and improving the reliability of our network and modernising our systems with the world’s leading data-driven technologies to ensure business continuity.”

Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, ZonesCorp, said: “A steady and secure supply of energy sources such as natural gas is the backbone of ZonesCorp’s proposition and as a crucial prerequisite for our industrial investors.

“ZonesCorp is determined to ensure the reliability and capacity of our infrastructure across the diverse base of businesses and industries within our highly efficient, safe, sustainable, and digitally advanced ecosystem.”

ZonesCorp is set to complete the project in multiple phases by the end of 2022, leverage the latest technology and measures for leakage prevention, fire detection, surveillance, installation of fire-fighting systems and advanced monitoring and controls.

The DED Trader licence: The DED Trader licence, launched by the Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector of Dubai Economy to enable freelancers and start-ups to conduct business activities online and across social networking accounts, is witnessing an overwhelming response with 13,430 licences issued since its launch in 2017 till end of June 2021.

Dubai Economy also reported that 3,243 DED Trader licences were issued during the first half of 2021, a growth of 63% compared to H1 2020, when 1,989 licences were issued. The numbers show that DED Trader has proactively supported the growth of e-Commerce in the emirate and encouraged a growing number of consumers to shop online.

The DED Trader licence also reflects the focus of Dubai Economy on promoting e-commerce and economic competitiveness, as well as its commitment to realising the vision of the government to drive digital transformation and promote e-platforms that facilitate commercial activities.

The report issued by the BRL sector showed that males accounted for the highest share (63%) of the total DED Trader licenses issued during H1 2021. The report also showed that Information Technology topped the list of activities of the licenses issued followed by Readymade Garments, Ladies Tailoring & Design, Handicraft workshops, Gents Tailoring & Design, Preparation of Food, Commercial Brokerage, Exhibitions and Other Professional Services.

The DED Trader can be obtained electronically on the invest.dubai.ae portal by following simple steps. Through DED Trader, Dubai Economy seeks to regulate and enhance the ease of doing business electronically, while also offering a platform that supports and develops trade as well as connects customers with traders. The licensee cannot open a shop/store but can avail of three visas if the ownership is 100% Emirati and legal liability falls on the licence holder.

Dubai Economy focuses on providing support to the DED Trader licence holders by signing partnerships with government and private sectors, providing facilities for their business growth as well as opening new channels by enhancing cooperation with major sales outlets. Dubai Economy partnered with noon.com, the region’s leading homegrown digital marketplace, to connect local startups with customers across the region through its Mahali digital store. Mahali by noon.com is a programme designed to offer Emirati startups with digital business support and expertise, enabling them to grow their businesses online.

Dubai Economy has also partnered with MyFatoorah to facilitate e-payments for transactions related to DED Trader licences; talabat to display and sell food items through its platform, and with ‘Akshaak’ to display and sell products of DED Trader licence holders online for free.

The benefits of getting a DED Trader licence include membership in Dubai Chamber for commercial activities, bank facilities; Customs Client Code for import and export via dubaitrade.ae; temporary employment services; participation in exhibitions & conferences and training workshop; displaying of products in consumer points of sale, and providing work space.

WAM