Hamed bin Zayed inaugurates UAE's first fully-digitalised Maqta Gateway

Maqta Gateway, the first fully digitalised system of its kind in the UAE set to boost business efficiency and facilitate trade in Abu Dhabi, was officially inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

The ambitious project is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to enhance the efficiency of international trade services and adopt best practices using the latest technologies to achieve the vision of Abu Dhabi 2030, and with the support of H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, to enhance the competitive advantage of trade in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and create an attractive environment to encourage more foreign direct investment.

The inauguration was attended Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports, Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Commissioner Ali Mohamed Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Federal Customs Authority, Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Jassim Buatabh Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Saif Mohammed Al Hajeri, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Department, high-level government officials, in addition to Maqta Gateway strategic partners and stakeholders including Abu Dhabi Customs, Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Rail and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD).

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said "The emirate of Abu Dhabi, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has been recognised as a global leader across a number of sectors, thanks to the ongoing efforts and the dedication of our institutions and citizens to excel, further contributing to the UAE’s economic and social growth." H.H. also praised Abu Dhabi Ports and its partners for their efforts in designing, testing and launching Maqta Gateway.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: "Our leadership has supported Maqta Gateway from its inception in December 2014, and throughout its development phases, until completion and delivery. In line with our leaders’ wise vision, Abu Dhabi Ports is committed to achieving a knowledge-based, sustainable and diversified economy, encouraging entrepreneurs and business owners to work in an environment based on innovation and enterprise."

He added that, "Abu Dhabi Ports is investing in technology and bringing trade into the digital era. The creation of Maqta Gateway illustrates our commitment towards contributing to Abu Dhabi’s economic development and promoting a knowledge-based economy that features smart E government solutions that will facilitate trade. This will further strengthen Abu Dhabi Ports’ contribution and position in the UAE’s trade community, building on an advanced maritime and industrial infrastructure designed to attract trade to Abu Dhabi."

Maqta Gateway has been fully developed by Abu Dhabi Ports, emphasising its forward-thinking corporate mandate and its commitment to digitalizing trade and streamlining the exchange of information, while offering significant benefits to its customers in the UAE and around the world. Maqta Gateway’s Port Community System has already attracted several customers and is currently linked to 10 ports in Asia and Europe, allowing them to track their routes before departing from their original destinations.

Efficiency, speed of transactions and access to information in real time serve as the basis for the transportation of goods in a safe and secure way. Maqta Gateway is already boosting the UAE’s ability to trade with emerging and global economies. Designed to increase transparency, the platform uses a "Track & Trace" service that provides customers with all the information they need about their transactions; any time and from anywhere in the world. As a key outcome, relevant authorities are able to know what goods are coming into their country prior to their arrival.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi, said: "Abu Dhabi’s Port Community System, represents a major milestone that has been successfully accomplished with the will and cooperation of our teams, our ongoing investment in the creativity of local talent and our development of the latest technology. The interest given by developed countries to implement this system is due to it is vital role in promoting business growth, maximizing revenues and reducing operational costs."

"Maqta PCS has successfully developed more than 100 efficient and easy to use services, which has further encouraged a 100 percent adoption from our customers, in all ship management, export and import operations during the last period. This new system has also succeeded in creating fully intelligent maritime services designed in Abu Dhabi,"he added.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, General Manager of Maqta Gateway, said: "This event marks the culmination of years of hard work to transform the face of trade. Our success was only possible thanks to the support of our leadership, our stakeholders and customers."

"We have set our sights on delivering services that would rival the best in the world. The fully digitalized Maqta Gateway will unlock the potential for faster and seamless multi-mode transit for passengers and cargo, boosting efficiency in trade. While enhancement of trade was a priority in the design phase, we also considered the benefits it could bring from an ecological, cost saving and Emiratisation perspective. Last year, our paper use reduction was the equivalent of 4.9 million retail transactions, with cost savings of AED 27 million for our customers and partners. We are also proud that this operation is managed by a young and vibrant team, comprised of a 60 percent Emirati workforce - making it a crucial experience that will help in the development of the Abu Dhabi Ports Innovation Lab," she added.

Maqta Gateway is home to over 100 services which offer significant benefits to customers, including ease of registration and payment, container services, general cargo services, as well as cruise ships service. In the short time it has been operational, it has achieved 50 integration points and more than 35 international shipping partners, including global shipping companies. During beta testing in 2016, Maqta Gateway logged 37,000 vessel entries and 3.6 million digital transactions, showing there is an insatiable appetite for online services that provide seamless connections across the industry.

Maqta Gateway has ambitions to integrate with air cargo and land by 2019, and with other port community systems by 2020.

The system is developed and operated by Maqta Gateway LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of commercial and community ports within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in addition to the Port of Fujairah, and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD).

Maqta PCS is the first purpose built system of its kind in the Emirates that provides digital services to a variety of trade related entities including shipping agents, traders, custom brokers, freight forwarders, clearing agents, by providing a single window that links port and custom authorities, terminal operators, railways, airports, and industrial zone communities; in addition to other port community systems.

Maqta PCS was recognised on the highest level as a key strategic initiative of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through the Abu Dhabi Ports, providing effective and efficient next generation solutions. Built with mobility in mind and covering sea, air, land ports, rail and industrial zones; Maqta PCS pushes the boundaries of traditional Port Community Systems to encompass the multi-modal transportation model that currently exists.

In addition to accelerating development and trade in the Emirate to contribute to the economic diversification plan of Abu Dhabi, Maqta PCS standardizes information exchange and messaging, increases security and decreases risks through increased transparency, and provides a single point of contact and information around the clock, directly to your hand-held or mobile device.