Maqta Gateway: The Digital Bridge Between Abu Dhabi Trade and the World

Abstract

Maqta Gateway (MG) L.L.C. has been mandated by the Abu Dhabi Executive to develop and operate the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP) to provide a single window (SW) for importers and exporters operating from industrial and free zones, while facilitating trade through sea, land, and air. This primary project forms a challenging task for MG and its CEO, Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, as no SW system with this scope has ever been implemented in the Gulf region. To establish the foundation for the SW, Al Dhaheri will have to synchronize more than 30 governments and 70 private entities, integrating their backend systems with the SW and replacing their isolated customers’ journeys with the streamlined and unified ones offered in the ATLP, within a period of two years. The system will significantly improve customer and stakeholder experiences while conducting trade- and logistics-related transactions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It will enable trade activities between multiple entities, improving the ease of doing business transactions and facilitating trade within the emirate by providing harmonized digital services that meet the standards of several international organizations. This case study presents an overview of the strategic management directions for the ATLP implementation and the processes involved in synchronizing these entities within a short time. This case study will determine whether MG’s top management team led by Al Dhaheri should focus only on the core services for trade and logistics or also include value-added services in the first release. Questions that will be addressed in this case study include the following: What steps should MG take to determine the scope of work for the ATLP? Will external aspects impact the deadline for implementing the project? If so, how will Al Dhaheri manage to shorten the proposed plan from five years to two years?