Etihad Aviation Group (EAG), a diversified global aviation and travel group based in the UAE, said it has signed a strategic agreement with Jiangsu Provincial Overseas Cooperation and Investment Company (Jocic).

 

Under the agreement, Jocic, the management company of the China-UAE Industrial Park, will jointly explore marketing opportunities with EGA through appropriate promotional channels in China and the UAE to promote the China-UAE Industrial Park. 

 

The park is Abu Dhabi’s friendly investment environment for Chinese companies as well as the UAE capital's unique geographic advantages and Etihad Airways’ convenient network, which supports China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

 

The deal was signed by EAG's chief executive Tony Douglas and Jocic Chairman Luo Hua in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on a three-day state visit to the UAE.

 

The parties plan to co-operate on a wide range of areas in order to better support the development of the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Park, China-UAE Industrial Park, in Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi, including air logistics, procurement, mutual promotion on respective premises and digital channels, said a statement from EGA.

 

The deal signifies that EAG will provide the companies investing in the China-UAE Industrial Park with preferred air transportation and cargo rates on the routes and services between China and other cities on Etihad Airways entire network, it stated. 

 

Jocic and the companies of the China-UAE Industrial Park also designate Etihad Airways as their preferred airline, said the statement.

 

In addition, EAG will enjoy special rates on the products produced and manufactured by Chinese companies at the China-UAE Industrial Park, it added.

 

Douglas pointed out that China is a strategically important market for Etihad. 

 

"We feel extremely honoured to forge such a strategic partnership with Jocic so as to serve the development of the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Park, and better foster the Chinese companies within the Industrial Park," he stated.

 

According to Douglas, the partnership will demonstrate the long-standing commitment of the UAE national carrier Etihad to act as a bridge for economic and cultural exchanges between the UAE and China.

 

It will help strengthen the position of Abu Dhabi as an aviation hub to connect China with the economies along the Belt and Road Initiative by leveraging our strong global network," he stated.

 

"It also exemplifies our pivotal role in the Abu Dhabi government’s plan to strengthen the infrastructure and transport sectors in Abu Dhabi, in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030," noted Douglas.

 

"This is only the beginning. We look forward to making more contributions to the project," he added.

 

Luo Hua said the park is a major project under the Belt and Road Initiative. 

 

"It represents an important consensus reached by the leadership of China and the UAE to strengthen international industrial capacity cooperation between the two countries," he noted.

 

"We look forward to working closely with Etihad Aviation Group by leveraging its diversification of business, convenient network and innovation advantages to drive the continued success of the China-UAE Demonstration Park," he added.