Kenya’s move to safeguard critical export corridors amid evolving regional trade dynamics has received a major boost with the United Arab Emirates (UAE)reaffirming its commitment to help safeguard trade flows and enhance regional supply chain resilience.
Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade said trade flows would be realized through collaboration, advanced operational frameworks, and development of alternative trade corridors.
He emphasised the UAE’s role in building a connected, resilient, and future-ready trade ecosystem, pledging to support a timely framework for strengthening route resilience, protecting cargo continuity, and sustaining flow of key exports to the Gulf markets.
“The UAE stands ready to deepen its engagement with regional and international partners to build a more connected, resilient, and future-ready trade ecosystem,” said the minister.
Al Zeyoudi spoke while chairing a high-level coordination meeting in Dubai which brought together global shipping companies and industry associations to address challenges facing regional supply chains.
The meeting, hosted by the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), was attended by senior officials including Abdulla bin Damithan, Chairman of PCFC, Dr Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, and Ahmad Yousef Al Hassan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World in the GCC region.
Discussions focused on maintaining the uninterrupted flow of trade and ensuring the availability of essential goods, as the UAE reinforces its role as a resilient global logistics hub.
The relevance of the latest logistics coordination efforts is particularly clear for Kenya’s export sectors, where floriculture alone generated Sh203.6 billion in 2024 and Gulf-linked cargo routes remain central to preserving delivery continuity and pricing stability.
With tea exporters also reliant on efficient movement through the Port of Mombasa and onward to Gulf markets, Kenya’s parallel expansion of alternative logistics pathways through Lamu aligns closely with the UAE’s focus on corridor diversification and multimodal resilience.
During the Dubai meeting, Al Zeyoudi reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the continuity of trade flows and strengthening regional supply chain resilience through close collaboration with partners and forward-looking solutions that address the current regional challenges.
He noted that the ongoing high-level coordination among key stakeholders reflects the UAE’s steadfast approach to advancing partnerships and deepening regional and international cooperation.
This effort is aimed at enhancing the efficiency, agility, and responsiveness of regional supply chains to ensure the uninterrupted movement of goods, particularly essential and strategic commodities.
Efforts are also underway to strengthen alternative trade corridors and implement advanced customs and operational frameworks that reinforce the nation’s competitiveness and its standing as a trusted global trade and logistics hub.
Al Zeyoudi added: “The UAE will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting regional and international trade stability through targeted initiatives and adaptive policies that enhance supply chain performance and sustainability.”
“The UAE stands ready to deepen its engagement with regional and international partners to build a more connected, resilient, and future-ready trade ecosystem.”
For his part, Bin Damithan highlighted the importance of sustained coordination and collaboration among all stakeholders, noting the progress made since the previous meeting in addressing regional challenges to ensure continued trade flows into the UAE.
He stated that relevant entities have worked closely to implement a range of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience, including improving the efficiency of alternative corridors such as Fujairah and Khorfakkan ports, and strengthening regional maritime connectivity to ensure seamless and efficient cargo movement.
Bin Damithan added that these achievements reflect strong collaboration and commitment from both public and private sector partners, while emphasising the continued need for joint efforts amid ongoing challenges related to rising costs and operational complexities.
He also noted that the meeting serves as an important platform to review recently implemented initiatives and explore opportunities for further collaboration in the next phase, supporting the development of practical and sustainable solutions that enhance supply chain efficiency and continuity.
Bin Damithan reiterated that ensuring the uninterrupted flow of essential goods remains a top priority, alongside reinforcing the UAE’s position as a reliable regional and global logistics hub.
Meanwhile, Dr Busenad outlined key customs initiatives implemented to support trade flows and enhance operational efficiency, reaffirming Dubai Customs’ commitment to developing proactive and innovative solutions in collaboration with partners.
He stated: “Over the past period, we have successfully implemented a number of high-impact initiatives that facilitated cargo movement and enhanced supply chain efficiency.”
“These include the issuance of Customs Notice No. (6), enabling transit cargo movement through the green corridor with the Sultanate of Oman, the acceptance of undertaking letters as valid guarantees, and the organisation of workshops with traders to explain green corridor mechanisms and address their enquiries.”
He added: “We are currently rolling out several pilot projects, including the activation of the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system through shipping companies for all green corridor cargo, as well as the launch of a new maritime feeder service linking the region with India, further strengthening trade connectivity.”
Dr Busenad also highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including extending the grace period for re-export cargo, developing a framework to allow more land transport companies to join secured corridors, expanding the green corridor to include Saudi Arabia, and offering multiple clearance options within the corridor.
He emphasised that these efforts are part of an integrated vision aimed at enhancing the resilience and sustainability of supply chains and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a highly efficient and globally competitive logistics hub.
The meeting also reviewed key developments since the previous session, including improvements in handling critical shipments, activation of alternative transport corridors, and expanded use of multimodal transport solutions, such as land and rail, alongside enhanced operational solutions to address capacity and cost-related challenges.
