The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) and Deutsche Post have announced significant progress in the joint research initiative to elevate the emirate’s logistics capacity and enhancing its economic competitiveness.

The DED-DHL research partnership, announced in January 2009 and on course for implementation in 2010, also aims to transform the speed of doing business in the city.

The duo plan to address three areas critical to Dubai’s growth: reducing congestion, improving convenience, and minimizing carbon.

The commercially viable and pro-growth solutions identified for implementation include first and final-mile delivery for Dubai residents, reduced-carbon warehouses, and smarter and more widespread distribution models leading to reduced operations costs.

The logistics revitalization framework is in line with UAE prime minister and vice president and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s strategic initiatives for 2015, which include an emphasis on environment, planning, resource utilization and efficient infrastructure and transportation.

The World Economic Forum’s Arab Competitiveness Report also listed a strong and sophisticated transport and logistics sector as essential to the region’s future development.

The Middle East, the report said, faces unprecedented opportunities to capitalize on its favourable location, including intra-Arab and Europe-Asia trade.

A robust and more efficient sector will boost macroeconomic activity, enhance global competitive advantage, and generate sustainable job opportunities, the report added.

Fahad Al Gergawi, chief executive officer of the Foreign Investment Office, an agency of the Department of Economic Development said: 'We are excited about this logistics initiative and its potential to play a critical role in enhancing foreign direct investment into Dubai.'

'This is part of the DED’s many programs to ensure existing and potential investors have optimal access to local, regional and international markets through continually improved infrastructure.”

Dave Harris, director for Logistics at DED and Suren Thadani, director strategy & planning for the Middle East at Deustche Post DHL, both responsible for managing the strategy and roll out of this program, said the proposed ideas have a clear linkage to important global competitiveness indices including innovation, infrastructure, higher training and education, technological readiness and business sophistication.

Jon Bumstead, director of Innovation Incubation– Deutsche Post DHL, said: “Accelerating logistics innovation in Dubai will result in faster and more meaningful economic growth. Initiatives such as these are globally valuable as ideas can be leveraged across borders.”-TradeArabia News Service