Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer of commercial and community ports in the UAE capital, said it haas been awarded with the prestigious ‘Innovative Organisation Level 3 Certification’ by Global Innovation Management Institute (GIMI).

A US-based organistaion, GIMI is recognised as the international gold standard for innovation management, having certified over 10,000 individuals and over 800 organisations worldwide.

Abu Dhabi Ports said with this certification, it has become the first port and the first maritime and transportation organisation in the world to win the award from GIMI, it added.

The certification was conferred by GIMI during its annual conference held in Colombia in November, said a statement from Abu Dhabi Ports.

The recognition demonstrates the value of initiatives such as Abu Dhabi Ports’ highly successful collaborative ideas platform, ‘Ibtikar’ – Arabic for ‘innovation’, it stated.

Ibtikar uses a systematic approach to gathering and processing ideas from employees, customers and other stakeholders. It ensures that ideas can be successfully implemented and encourages teamwork and participation in order to improve the success of the business.

Group CEO Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi said: "Innovation is of paramount importance to us. We are committed to delivering on the goals set out in the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, and we are proud that this award recognises our efforts to find transformational ways to develop sustainable infrastructure capable of supporting our country’s economic growth."

“We are inspired to continue innovating thanks to the continued support of the Abu Dhabi leadership,” he added.

GIMI Executive Director Dr Hitendra Patel, who presented the award, said: “We developed a four-level organisational certification programme which also serves as a pathway towards leadership in innovation. We offer our congratulations to Abu Dhabi Ports for becoming the first maritime company in the world to achieve Innovation Level 3 Certification by our organisation.”

“The recognition highlights their position at the vanguard of corporate innovation in the region, sets the example for others, and leads the Middle East in step with the ongoing economic change,” he added.

Eiman Al Khalaqi, vice-president of innovation, Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “Innovation has always been an integral part of our everyday business here at our organisation, and this certification is a recognition of this attribute.”

“We are privileged to showcase to the world the enormous talent and capabilities of our people, and this is only the beginning,” he said.

Sia Partners, the official representative of GIMI in the GCC, also expressed its support of Abu Dhabi Ports.-TradeArabia News Service