Department of Seaports & Customs of the Government of Sharjah, in the UAE has signed a Sister Port agreement with the Canaveral Port Authority of Florida.
The signing ceremony was hosted by port operator Gulftainer, which recently expanded into the USA with a new concession at Port Canaveral and which has long-standing business operations in Sharjah.
The company is expected to play a prominent role in facilitating the implementation of the sister ports’ deal.
The deal will see the two ports bolster cooperation in development of economic resources, international trade and logistics. What is more, the agreement is aimed at enabling private companies within the catchment area of the ports to collaborate on trade and investment prospects.
Under the deal, the parties also agreed to explore opportunities to exchange information and knowledge and develop commercial, technological and cultural ties.
“ As the operator of the container terminal at Port Canaveral, as well as three main ports in Sharjah on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority, we have welcomed this agreement with great excitement. This will positively impact our operations and we will continue to strive to strengthen the bond that exists with a view to contribute even further to the economy of both port areas,” Peter Richards, Managing Director of Gulftainer said.
The UAE has been the USA’s largest trading partner in the Middle East region over the last six years. Since 2009, bilateral trade has grown more than 80 per cent exceeding more than USD 24 billion in 2014, representing one of the fastest growing USA economic partnerships.