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Dubai Customs and the Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing in Dubai (DTCM) inked a cooperation and partnership agreement to promote the development of tourist facilities at Jumeirah 1, Umm Suqeim 1 and Umm Suqeim 2 harbours. The agreement was signed at the DC main office by H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, and H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of DTCM, in presence of H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

H.E. Sultan bin Sulayem said that the agreement is in line with Dubai Governments vision to make Dubai the destination of choice for tourists looking for relaxation and amusement in a safe environment. He stressed that the Fishermen Harbours will add to the emirates impressive portfolio of tourist attractions. Colossal investments were made in the harbours renovation and development project to incorporate exceptional facilities for visitors, including a boatyard for fishing boats and another for yachts and recreational boats. Blocking security gaps in the project, ensuring the complete safety and security of the facilities, was at the top of our priority as Dubai Customs enjoys a long experience in securing customs land, sea and air ports. A network of CCTV cameras was installed, he added.

Bin Sulayem further noted that tourists enjoy an exceptional experience in Dubai with a warm welcome and a comfortable stay without any security hassle as might be seen in airports around the world, with no compromise on safety.
H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: It is our pleasure to cooperate with Dubai Customs in carrying out this particularly important project that supports Dubais tourism industry and focuses on an integral part of Emirati heritage, traditional fishing which we seek to market and promote into a new tourist attraction in the emirate of Dubai. The DTCM will provide all facilitations necessary to implement this agreement, including research-based suggestions and recommendations such as feasibility studies aimed at leveraging the tourist and economic promotion of the three harbours.

As per the concluded agreement, the DTCM, through the Dubai College of Hospitality Training, will offer hospitality and customer service training courses to DC staff in charge of running fishermen harbours, in addition to easing the granting of entertainment licenses to restaurants based in the harbours, he continued.

Commenting on the agreement, Ahmed Mahboob said: We are very pleased to sign this agreement with DTCM as it will have tremendous outcomes on the emirates tourist appeal. We will form a joint work team that will devise an annual action plan, determine joint projects and initiatives and measure how well goals are met biannually as per standards and KPIs that will be mutually determined.

We will collaborate with DTCM in promoting traditional harbours at international forums and circles and providing all facilitations and improvement initiatives to turn these harbours into tourist landmarks, attracting tourists to enjoy an incredible waterfront experience, he added.
The agreement signing ceremony was attended by Buti Abdullah Al Jumairi, Executive Director of HR, Finance and Administration Division at Dubai Customs, Ahmed Khalifa Al Falasi, DTCMs CEO of Support Services, Yousuf Lootah, Executive Director of Tourism Development & Investments at DTCM, and Khalid bin Touk, Executive Director of Licensing & Classification.

The Fishermen Harbours Development Project commenced in 2008 to support traditional fishermen, improving their everyday life, and revive the UAEs rich heritage. Through this project, Dubai Customs stresses its social and cultural roles side-by-side with its economic, commercial and security roles. DC makes valuable contributions to sustainable development and reserving the UAE national identity to uphold the overall boom witnessed in Dubai in particular and the UAE in general.

Beneficiaries of the Fishermen Harbours Development Project include 1000 labourers and seamen. The boat yard has a total capacity of 466 anchorages, of which 348 are for fishing boats and 119 for yachts and recreational boats. Fishermen facilities include seamen accommodation units, warehouses to store fishing tools, boat repair workshops, two fish markets; one in Jumeirah 1 and the other in Umm Suqeim 1, retail outlets, world-class restaurants and cafes, prayer halls and tourist and recreational facilities. All of these facilities are to cater to the needs of fishermen and residents and to attract tourists by providing means of comfort to them to enjoy an incredible waterfront experience with some of the best views in Dubai. The project constitutes a tourist landmark while reflecting on the Emirati heritage and culture.

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