Ladies, Gentlemen, distinguished guests, friends and partners from the media, good morning.
Everyone of you is honoring the UAE by attending this press conference dedicated to communicate to media, and national and international investors of the launch of the Global Investment in Aviation Summit, an initiative of the GCAA designed to sustainably encourage and attract investments, hence feeding the whole UAE aviation eco-system and UAE economy.
I am extremely delighted to partner with Strategic in this bold and passionate project that could be the game changer to accelerate the UAE’s economic vision of being oil-free.
At the onset of my speech, I would like to thank Strategic. Strategic is today represented by Mr. Dawood Al Shezawi who will be the Head of the Organizing Committee of the 2019 Global Investment in Aviation.
As the Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, it is my mission to align the policies and performance of the GCAA with the 2021 UAE National Agenda, which aims to transform UAE into an economic, tourism and commercial capital for more than 2 billion people. We cannot reach this if we do not have strong aviation industry. And this thrust has been our strongest motivation.
The UAE aviation’s landscape is globally positively recognized and it is always referred as a model of excellence by travelling passengers and by foreign government officials. This undisputable leading reputation is an opportunity for us to showcase UAE’s past achievements and future ambitions in Aviation.
Despite our airlines and our airports have been ranking consistently as among the best internationally and UAE is ranked, since 2014, as the first State in safety and security and a top member at the International Civil Aviation Organization, our aviation Industry needs to embrace new opportunities to expand their business operations with direct or indirect fresh investments.
This Summit has been specifically conceived for them and it should act as a catalyst to shake-up the air transport industry, break down the barriers between investors and investees, and expose the power of collaboration, exchange, or partnership and the benefits and opportunities that legislative and infrastructure systems of the UAE offer.
Before continuing explaining the objectives of the Summit, I will would like to remind you that the UAE is the largest investor in airlines and aviation industry in the MENA region:
a) The ongoing Dh85 billion airport development in the UAE will un-doubtfully motivate hesitant investors. This plan, once completed, will accommodate more than 300 million passengers per year.
b) The fleet size of carriers in the Middle East is forecast to more than double from 1,250 to 3,320 aircraft over the next two decades, according to Airbus. Of course the UAE’s four national carriers with a current fleet of 502 large aircraft composed of B777, B737, A380, and A320 will absorb the majority of those forecasts. As a result of its growing aircraft fleet, statistics shows that there will be a need for 55,000 pilots and 62,000 technicians in the same period.
Thus, this Summit will aim at further improving the UAE’s competitiveness in terms of passenger experience, air connectivity, fleet size, and utilization of technology and innovations in all aspects of Airlines and Airport operations. Efforts such as these have been our benchmark, along with our global initiatives to promote sustainability in the aviation industry.
As one of the most dynamic aviation industry in the world, UAE aims through Global Investment in Aviation Summit, to lead the global initiatives in attracting investments and in sharing various nations’ visions, experiences, and best aviation projects so that UAE and the aviation industries of the world can reach sustainability in innovation. The Summit will also provide assistance in facilitating investment agreements during the event so that all participants’ agenda related to investments in aviation will be catered.
Our leaders are visioning UAE as a top place for foreign direct investments including aviation by promoting its flexible policies and investor-friendly environment. Investments in Aviation will not only be seen in the aviation industry, but its economic effects will trickle down and across its sectors and citizens, making UAE not only a hub for the safest and most modern aviation industry in the world, but a nation where people thrive in safety and security, and confidently and happily.
The Global Investment in Aviation Summit is UAE’s testament on how far we have achieved and of our commitment to push the nation to be a global pioneer in this field, enabling us to prepare for the future. The glass ceiling is not too high to break as we have mounted unimaginable innovations. Yet, looking forward, we know that we can still do more. In fact, conservatively, we anticipate accommodating 118 million passengers by 2023 at the Dubai International Airport, and 120 million passengers upon completion of phase 2 of the Dubai World Central, and 200 million passengers upon its completion, all in ultra-modern infrastructures that match, if not surpass, the best in the world.
Indeed, UAE is home to world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic and some of the world’s largest airlines that taking this major role in the Global Investment in Aviation Summit is expected. Come January of 2019, we will be hosting aviation ambassadors, knowledge partners, senior level attendees, 300 investors, and several country representatives in an event where UAE, and the rest of the participating countries, can position our organization and country to promote our vision and attract more and bigger investment opportunities within the aviation industry.
I would like to finish my speech by a quote of our late founder and Father Sheikh Zayed who strived during his presidency to prepare UAE for change:
“Situations change from time to time. A friend may become an enemy and an enemy a friend. Life is inconsistent and ever changing. So are health and weather. We must, therefore, be prepared for the unexpected changes coming our way.”
The investment opportunities that can be generated from this Summit means UAE aviation industry will soar even higher and will allow UAE to be prepared for the unexpected changes coming our way. We hope to count on your support on this initiative.
Thank you and I look forward to welcoming you at the Global Investment in Aviation Summit!
المصدر : https://wp.me/p70vFa-qYb
