The Ministry of Foreign Trade has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DHL Express to strengthen the export capabilities of UAE companies and support their expansion into international markets.
The agreement centres on the “Export Readiness” initiative, the third launched under the UAE Global Trade Hub programme. It aims to train more than 10,000 companies and help exporters make the most of opportunities created by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement programme.
The MoU was signed at the Ministry’s headquarters in Dubai in the presence of Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade. Fahad Al Gergawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry, and Abdulaziz Busbate, CEO of DHL Express MENA, signed on behalf of their organisations.
DHL’s GoTrade programme will be integrated into the Ministry’s Ready2Trade initiative, giving small and medium-sized enterprises access to practical trade education. The Ministry and DHL Express UAE will deliver virtual and in-person sessions led by qualified DHL facilitators, tailored to the UAE business environment.
Topics will include market selection, export procedures, compliance, trade documentation, trade finance and insurance, logistics, and e-commerce.
Dr Al Zeyoudi said the partnership would give companies the knowledge and tools to enter global markets and expand their operations internationally. Busbate noted that many SMEs still need practical guidance to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade.
The initiative is based on a training needs assessment that drew 328 responses from companies across the country. It has brought together 25 awareness and implementation partners, including government entities, chambers of commerce and free zones.
The move comes as non-oil exports reached AED 452.8 billion in the first half of 2026, up 23.9% from the same period in 2025.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
