Dubai Chamber launches online trading portal

DubaiBizMatch.com, an exclusive B2B platform designed to facilitate online trade between registered companies in the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and businesses worldwide, was launched yesterday at Monarch Hotel, Dubai. The portal was developed by Tejari in association with the Dubai Chamber, and currently connects more than 200,000 global business leaders.

According to a report by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), UAE's electronic trade in 2007 amounted to around $1.159 billion (Dh4.2bn) as 1.6 people used the internet for their daily needs such as payment of electricity, water and telephone bills as well as other local services.

Booking and payment of flights and hotel accommodation occupied the bigger part of electronic exchanges, followed by bills.

The report said the figures might be higher since they do not cover electronic trade with parties outside the country.

An Insead report said the UAE is the first country at Arab level with regard to technological progress. It occupies the 29th position worldwide. The report relied on three criteria – technological environment, extent of readiness to use technology and the actual use of existing technology.

The portal launch follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding in June this year between the Dubai Chamber and Tejari. The first of its kind in the region, DubaiBizMatch.com promotes face-to-face meetings, delegation services and sourcing operations that encourage valuable business connections.

Hamad Buamim, Director-General of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said the chamber's strategic objectives include creating a favourable investment environment in Dubai and that DubaiBizMatch.com is a vital part of the future vision of trade and commerce in the emirate. He added Dubai Chamber has always put the interests of its members as top priority and worked hard to provide the best of value-added services.

"We see DubaiBizMatch.com as a gateway to greater opportunities for all our stakeholders, particularly those representing the trading sector.

"This e-commerce portal launched in association with Tejari is a tool to strengthen Dubai' competitiveness and better facilitate its businesses' access into world markets and is seen as a step in establishing Dubai as the gateway and information hub for global trade."

With active members from more than 45 industries, DubaiBizMatch.com enables businesses to buy, sell and connect. The portal provides core B2B services such as online showrooms to display products and services.

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