His highness directed Dubai Customs to take all procedures needed to waive the customs, fees within the shared Gulf framework, off the shoulders of these people who deserve all support and care from our side. Dubai Customs has raised the initiative to the General Secretariat of the GCC through the Federal Customs Authority. Currently, materials related to people of special needs are subject to fees of 5% under the unified customs law of the GCC.
The GCC Customs Union Committee has praised highly humanitarian initiative of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai and agreed, in its last meeting which was held at the headquarters of GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh between 9 and 11 April 2012, to waive fees off materials and apparatuses related to people of special needs. The actual implementation of this decision at the level of GCC countries will take effect once the GCC Financial and Economic Committee issue its decision. The materials and apparatuses include the vehicles manufactured especially for people of special needs, crutches, hearing facilitators, and electronic machines for the blind.
His Excellency Ahmed Butti Ahmed, the Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone, Director General of Dubai Customs has praised highly His Highness’s initiative and said : “it is a valuable gift from His highness to these people who deserve all support from our side. It is not surprising as we all know that His Highness is very well known for his humanitarian and charity initiatives locally, regionally and internationally which aim at helping this segment of society overcome their difficulties. This initiative will help these people go further in their life and play more effective role in the advancement of their country”.
HE Ahmed Butti Ahmed added: “His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai always gives every possible care to the people of special needs to enable them integrate well in society and help them participate in the development process”.
HE expressed his gratitude for the GCC General Secretariat for supporting and implementing this initiative.