The value of exports and re-exports by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) members reached Dhs120.2 billion during the first six months of this year - an increase of 16.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2010. Dubai Chamber’s half year data shows that its members’ exports and re-exports between January and June 2011 were worth Dhs17 billion more than the same period in 2010, when they were valued at Dhs103.2 billion.The month with the highest value of exports and re-exports was May, with Dhs22.1 billion. This was a 26 per cent increase compared to May 2010 and the highest monthly year-on-year percentage increase during the six months.February was the month with the lowest value of exports and re-exports, with Dhs17.5 billion, yet this is still an 8 per cent increase compared to February 2010. During the same period, Dubai Chamber issued a total of 344,067 Certificates of Origin. This is an increase of 8 per cent, compared to the 318,557 Certificates of Origin issued during the first half of 2010. March was the month with the highest number of certificates issued (62,300), while February was the month with the least (50,612). Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber, said the half-year results were positive and pointed to continued strength in Dubai’s economy. “Our members’ export and re-export figures are a good indicator of the health of Dubai’s trade sector, so it is extremely positive to see year-on-year growth reach double figures. The trade sector plays such a major role in the overall health of Dubai’s economy that this is certainly a strong indicator that the economy is on track to meet its forecast percentage growth this year,” said Buamim.Between January and June a total of 5,233 new members joined Dubai Chamber. This is a 3 per cent increase on the same period in 2010 when 5,098 new members joined. This increases the total number of Dubai Chamber members to over 123,000 members. The half-year data also shows that during the first six months Dubai Chamber received 49 international delegations, comprised of 500 delegates. These groups were from; Australia, Cambodia, China, the Czech Republic, Egypt, the European Parliament (via the Austrian Embassy), Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay and Vietnam. “Dubai continues to be an attractive destination for businesses today. The number of foreign trade delegations that we welcomed between January and June demonstrates that Dubai is still a leading international business destination that continues to attract significant global attention,” Buamim said. During the first half of this year Dubai Chamber launched a number of new services, initiatives and events, which helped support and develop Dubai’s business community. The ATA Carnet was the most significant new service launched during this time. This international customs document permits duty-free and tax-free temporary import of goods for use in exhibitions and trade shows for up to one year. It will vastly improve the import process for event organisers and will help attract more international conferences to Dubai and the UAE.Dubai Chamber’s highest profile event during the first six months was the 4th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Investment Forum, which Dubai Chamber hosted in March. The conference explored business opportunities within the 19 countries that make up the Comesa region, particularly in trade, agriculture and infrastructure development sectors, and promoted Dubai’s position as a strategic gateway into and out of these emerging markets.Exploring new markets is an important focus for Dubai Chamber throughout 2011 and was demonstrated during the first half of the year through the organisation of three Country Focus Briefing sessions on Turkey, Brazil and Ethiopia. Further meetings are planned for the rest of this year.Dubai Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business also launched a new service called CSR Toolkits. This product provides support to companies, which want to become more competitive and innovative in their responsibilities to stakeholders by adopting more corporate social responsibility and sustainability schemes. From / Gulf Today