Dubai Trade-DP World, UAE Region’s single window platform for cross-border trade, has announced the launch of ZADI, a unified food import platform aimed at facilitating the import and re-export of food shipments throughout Dubai ports.
The first-of-its-kind platform in the Middle East is part of Dubai Trade’s plan to be the leading integrated platform in all import and re-export services.
It also aligns with the UAE plan for the post-COVID-19 era that will ensure the country’s robust recovery and development.
Initiated by the Dubai City Makers of the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai, and through synergy of efforts between DP World-UAE Region, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Customs and Dubai Trade; the platform is positioned to help over 18,000 companies in Dubai execute 360,000 transactions annually via its streamlined process.
Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said: “The core function of the ZADI platform is protecting the food supply chain from monopoly and disruption, as this may lead to spoilage of food crops, which will be difficult to compensate once the farming season is over.
"We efficiently connect food traders with food sources, enabling them to easily access food supplies. The presence of DP World in more than 50 countries makes this possible.
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"Food traders can also transfer their shipments, choosing from a wide array of DP World’s shipping line partners. ZADI’s integration with Dubai Customs and Dubai Municipality helps to seamlessly facilitate the import and re-export process.
"This end-to-end integration allows us to offer our online services and logistics capabilities to the world, helping secure vital food supplies, both locally and regionally.”
Typically, Dubai Customs conduct security and customs inspections at Jebel Ali Port and Dubai Municipality teams check food safety and quality.
The new system enables customers to submit their requests for both food or customs inspection via one unified platform which reduces their operational costs in addition to saving time and effort.
Eng. Dawood Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: “ZADI guarantees distinctive short- and long-term benefits. On a short-term phase, it simplifies the integration with Dubai Customs, to control the food import and re-export process, ensuring that food shipments comply with our standards of quality."
Through ZADI, traders can access food products either to sell in the local market or for re-export. They can easily request food evaluation form for the first phase instead of accessing several websites.
The unified platform enables them to submit their requests for both food or customs inspection. Thus, the process is faster and more efficient. This helps companies reduce their operational costs, increase their profitability and eliminate manual transaction costs.
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