Latest news with #localSuppliers
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Union Coop reaffirms supply chain stability and commitment to supporting local products amid regional developments
Dubai, UAE: Union Coop has reiterated its full readiness and operational preparedness to ensure the continued availability of essential consumer goods in light of ongoing regional tensions. The retail cooperative emphasized that its operational plans and supply chains are functioning with high efficiency and advanced flexibility. Union Coop stated that it maintains a sufficient strategic stock of essential consumer goods, particularly locally produced items, highlighting that prioritizing national products remains a strategic focus and the first line of defense in addressing potential supply chain challenges. Commenting on the matter, Mr. Mohamed Al Hashemi, CEO of Union Coop, said: "Our expansion plans and the opening of new branches have directly contributed to increasing our strategic storage capacity and enhancing operational efficiency. Additionally, they have allowed us to allocate more space for the continuous and balanced availability of local products across all regions." He added that the cooperative has already initiated steps to broaden partnerships with local suppliers and support national industries as part of its wider efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and enhance food security, in alignment with the UAE's economic plans and national strategies. Mr. Al Hashemi further highlighted Union Coop's proven track record in crisis management, referencing its pivotal role during past challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The cooperative succeeded in maintaining market stability and uninterrupted product availability, thereby reinforcing public confidence in its national and economic role. He reaffirmed the cooperative's ongoing commitment to the community, noting that all Union Coop branches operate under flexible and well-calculated plans to ensure the availability of essential items and services at all times. Continuous coordination is underway with relevant authorities to bolster readiness and effectively respond to any unforeseen developments.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Amazon replaces local businesses as States' stationery supplier
Amazon is to replace local businesses as the stationery supplier to the States of Guernsey, following a review of its "sourcing process".The States of Guernsey's Procurement department said the worldwide online retailer had provided efficient and competitive rates compared to invited local and off-island suppliers, potentially saving it "up to £100,000 per annum based on anticipated purchases"."We previously had agreements in place with local suppliers for stationery, however, these agreements have come to an end," a States spokesperson said."While it's disappointing that a local supplier wasn't able to win this business, we have a responsibility to spend taxpayers' money responsibly." The department said stationery as a procurement category had not been reviewed fully for about five years."We use Amazon in the same way, and for the same reasons, that thousands of individuals and families use Amazon across the island," they continued."These are low value consumable items, often bought repetitively and across the business this amounts to several thousand transactions annually. It is therefore important that we can buy these efficiently and competitively." The procurement category was reviewed in 2024, during which the States "decided to undertake a sourcing process, inviting local and off-island suppliers". "The scoring for this tender process was weighted to recognise the economic benefit of having on-island suppliers, however, following a competitive tender process with on-island and off-island suppliers, even with this local weighting, Amazon were successfully awarded a framework agreement to supply stationery."We are expecting that this new agreement could save the States up to £100,000 per annum based on anticipated purchases."
Trade Arabia
21-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Tawazun, Thales unveil special work packages for Emirati suppliers
UAE-based Tawazun Council and French multinational aerospace and defence corporation Thales Group have signed an agreement to empower more than 20 certified local suppliers under the 'Go to UAE' project with work packages worth AED600 million. The signing took place during the fourth edition of 'Make it in the Emirates 2025' in Abu Dhabi. The agreement falls under the framework of the 'Go to UAE' initiative, a flagship programme jointly launched by Tawazun Council, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Thales. The initiative aims to integrate local suppliers into the global supply chains of Thales and other leading defence and technology companies by equipping them to meet top international standards and enabling access to long-term, high-value projects both locally and globally. The agreement was signed by Majed Saif Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Tawazun Economic Programme (Offset) at Tawazun Council, and Chtioui Mourad, COO of Thales Emarat Technologies, in the presence of Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Sector Chief of Defence and Security Industry Affairs and representatives from both entities. Since its launch in 2023, the programme has made significant strides. In its first year, nine Emirati companies successfully met international accreditation requirements, reflecting the growing readiness of national talent and industries to compete in advanced manufacturing sectors. According to Tawazun, the local suppliers participating under the new agreement will contribute to a wide range of specialised projects, including PCB assembly, electromechanical systems, pre-assembled cabling, and precision machining. These efforts will directly enhance the UAE's defence industrial autonomy and strengthen national supply chain capabilities, it stated. Developing the local suppliers along with Emirati talent remains a cornerstone of this collaboration. Thales said it remained committed to delivering advanced training and upskilling programmes, aimed at cultivating a qualified pool of Emirati national professionals in critical domains such as advanced technologies and electronics. This aligns with the UAE's vision for localising strategic industries and creating high-value opportunities for its citizens. This agreement also reflects Tawazun Council's ongoing efforts to leverage the Tawazun Economic Programme to enable investment in the local industrial ecosystem, drive added value to the national economy, and boost the global competitiveness of the UAE's defence and technology sectors. Majed Saif Al Shamsi said: "The success of the 'Go to UAE" initiative is a testament to the progress we are making in enabling national suppliers to access global supply chains and contribute to key defence and technology projects." "Through the Economic Offset Program, Tawazun remains committed to building partnerships that generate sustainable value for the UAE's economy and industrial base," he stated. Roque Carmona, Chief Procurement Officer at Thales Group, said: "At Thales, we believe the future of global defence and technology lies in local innovation and sustainable partnerships. The 'Go to UAE" programme is a prime example of how connecting world-class UAE suppliers with international markets can drive economic growth and technological advancement."
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tawazun Council, Thales sign agreement to support Emirati suppliers with $163.36mln work packages
Tawazun Council and Thales Group have signed an agreement to empower more than 20 certified local suppliers under the 'Go to UAE' project with work packages worth AED600 million. The signing took place during the fourth edition of 'Make it in the Emirates 2025' in Abu Dhabi. The agreement was signed by Majed Saif Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Tawazun Economic Programme (Offset) at Tawazun Council, and Chtioui Mourad, COO of Thales Emarat Technologies, in the presence of Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Sector Chief of Defence and Security Industry Affairs and representatives from both entities. The agreement falls under the framework of the 'Go to UAE' initiative, a flagship programme jointly launched by Tawazun Council, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Thales. The initiative aims to integrate local suppliers into the global supply chains of Thales and other leading defence and technology companies by equipping them to meet top international standards and enabling access to long-term, high-value projects both locally and globally. Since its launch in 2023, the programme has made significant strides. In its first year, nine Emirati companies successfully met international accreditation requirements, reflecting the growing readiness of national talent and industries to compete in advanced manufacturing sectors. The local suppliers participating under the new agreement will contribute to a wide range of specialised projects, including PCB assembly, electromechanical systems, pre-assembled cabling, and precision machining. These efforts will directly enhance the UAE's defence industrial autonomy and strengthen national supply chain capabilities. Developing the local suppliers along with Emirati talent remains a cornerstone of this collaboration. Thales is committed to delivering advanced training and upskilling programs, aimed at cultivating a qualified pool of Emirati national professionals in critical domains such as advanced technologies and electronics. This aligns with the UAE's vision for localising strategic industries and creating high-value opportunities for its citizens. This agreement also reflects Tawazun Council's ongoing efforts to leverage the Tawazun Economic Programme to enable investment in the local industrial ecosystem, drive added value to the national economy, and boost the global competitiveness of the UAE's defence and technology sectors. Majed Saif Al Shamsi said, 'The success of the 'Go to UAE" initiative is a testament to the progress we are making in enabling national suppliers to access global supply chains and contribute to key defence and technology projects. Through the Economic Offset Program, Tawazun remains committed to building partnerships that generate sustainable value for the UAE's economy and industrial base." Roque Carmona, Chief Procurement Officer at Thales Group, said, 'At Thales, we believe the future of global defence and technology lies in local innovation and sustainable partnerships. The 'Go to UAE" programme is a prime example of how connecting world-class UAE suppliers with international markets can drive economic growth and technological advancement. By bringing 'Made in the Emirates' solutions to a global platform, we are not only strengthening the UAE's defence capabilities but also setting a new benchmark for export-driven growth."
