Dubai Maritime Cluster Office (DMCO) of Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has collaborated with the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) to boost the collaboration as both work towards strengthening their respective maritime industries by building and enforcing smart and sustainable platform of cooperation for maritime operations.

The cooperation is the latest among the other strategic partnerships of DMCA with international bodies and organizations as part of its initiative to create reliable maritime community able to drive Dubais economic development and the move towards sustainability aligned with the objectives of Dubai Plan 2021.

Under the MoU, DMCO and IMDO will jointly promote trade across global infrastructure and maritime spectrum and identify mutually beneficial initiatives to be taken in maritime areas. Both parties also agreed to work jointly on open innovation-based initiatives and programs. Moreover, they will work together on promotional and networking efforts during local and international events, conferences, events to facilitate new cooperation between organizations, enhanced connectivity, promote increased trade, and present their respective competitive edge and advantages.

Other key areas covered by their latest cooperation include mutual referral of business opportunities in each of their fields of specialties; research activities enhancing socio-economic benefits of a sustainable maritime industry at the national and international levels; identification of investment opportunities for Irish and Dubai Maritime companies; knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices and expertise.

Liam Lacey, Director of the Irish Maritime Development Office, said: The IMDO welcomes the opportunity to work with the DMCA and looks forward to cooperating and collaborating with the DMCA to the benefit of both our maritime economies.

Amer Ali, Executive Director, DMCA, said: Our strategic collaboration with IMDO is an opportunity for us at DMCA and Dubai Maritime Cluster Office to further foster innovation and research in Dubais maritime community as well as continuously implement enhanced global best maritime practices.

The mutual bond is also expected to cultivate strong relationships between DMCA and Irish maritime companies and other relevant bodies. It will also serve as an opportunity for Irish companies to understand more about DMCAs functions and its upcoming projects which will open new forms of international coordination.

Through this collaboration, Dubai will benefit from Irelands vibrant knowledge and innovation economy as well as world-class business eco-system, particularly in emerging sectors such as deep tech, artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain. Our ties will help accelerate our efforts to build a vibrant and safe maritime environment and will be instrumental in enhancing Dubais position as a leading center of maritime sectors worldwide. Our cooperation is especially relevant as Ireland bids to become an International Shipping Services Centre (ISSC), a major urban regeneration scheme with appropriate commercial, residential, and cultural amenities, which, if realized, can brought forth immense benefits to Dubai and the UAE, Ali said.

Conversely, the country will have a strategic advantage of learning about the intricacies and uniqueness of the maritime sector in Dubai and the UAE, providing them access to substantial local growth opportunities, fueled by national initiatives in accordance with Dubai Vision 2021. Recognized for its reliability, inclusiveness, and leadership, Dubai is the center of maritime excellence at the local, regional, and global levels as it continues to attract investors from different parts of the world, he added.