DUBAI — Dubai-based port operator DP World, one of the world’s largest terminal operators, is now in discussions with Tel Aviv-based DoverTower to bid to take over operations at the previously Israeli government-owned Haifa port. DoverTower is owned by Israeli businessman Shlomi Fogel who is also a major shareholder in Israel Shipyards and a partner at Eilat port. CEO of DP World Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem signed on Wednesday MoUs with Shlomi Fogel, the owner of DoverTower, to explore opportunities to develop trade links between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. Commenting on the development, DP World chief said: “Our work to build trade routes between the UAE, Israel and beyond will help our customers to do business in the region more easily and efficiently.” He added: “The MoUs will contribute to the efforts to tap economic and trade cooperation opportunities, and facilitate development-oriented linkages between the two countries. DP World’s mission is to enable global trade — our work to build trade routes between the UAE, Israel and beyond will help our customers to do business in the region more easily and efficiently." For his part, Fogel said: "I am also happy to announce that DP World and Israel Shipyards will collaborate to establish a joint venture that will participate in the tender for the privatization of the Port of Haifa." DoverTower chairman also said: "This is a great honor to work and collaborate with Sultan bin Sulayem. I’m proud of our mutual friendship and vision to create a strategic partnership that will positively impact the global trade and economy while strengthening the commercial relationship between the state of Israel and the United Arab Emirates. "I believe that this agreement is just the beginning of a mutual and long collaboration and more agreements will follow between DP World and DoverTower across different industries.