Dubai Customs has published its first issue of the monthly magazine "The Chance", which deals with customs affairs, and complements its success that has extended for more than 100 years. Dubai Customs hopes that the magazine will be a valuable addition to print and online newspapers and magazines, given the useful information and important issues it covers.
The magazine features many customs issues and news, including a subject supported by statistics on Dubai's non-oil foreign trade during the first ten months of 2012, which achieved a record more than 1AED trillion.
The main subject in the first issue includes statements of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council, on this achievement. H.H. confirmed that the commercial sector has been and will serve as a cornerstone and a fundamental pillar in the economic structure of the emirate, and the first engine for development, supported by a clear vision for the future, a careful evaluation of the existing and available opportunities, close ties with various countries of the world, a strategy aimed at strengthening the role of the private sector and raising its contribution to the upgrading of overall performance of the economy of Dubai, through providing all aspects of support, possible facilities and investment in the development and modernization of infrastructures to keep up with broad ambitions included in the overall development process of the state.
The magazine highlighted the findings of (Columbus) International report issued by the World Customs Organization, and which diagnoses the reliable practices of Dubai Customs as a working model for customs globally, in addition to many news in the areas of economic and security work of customs. The magazine also contains chapters for laws, terminology and customs procedures, as well as highlighting the department’s projects, its new services provided to customers, and the achievements of its human resources and inspectors, who take care of the country and prevent what could disturb the community or be detrimental to the health of its members.
The first issue of "Al Farda" includes a subject on the Customs’ campaign in sports circles to raise awareness about the dangers of the use of the banned drug Tramadol, as well as topics related to Mirsal 2 system and governance, the unified customs tariff, the coordinated system, and the evolution of customs legislation in the emirate of Dubai.
The issue also includes a dialogue with Mr. Ahmed Nusseirat, General Coordinator of Dubai Government Excellence Program, where he will talk about the status of government employee, and how the government supported him, and his importance in the development process in the country.
In his opening remarks to the magazine, H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed, the Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone and Director General of Dubai Customs, said that Dubai has received the year 2013 with optimism and confidence, looking to achieve its big ambitions on the road of excellence, after a track record of achievements under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who ordered to begin major projects during 2012, putting Dubai on top of the regional economy and made it a global destination for investment and trade.
He added that the launch of the project of Mohammed Bin Rashid City came to inaugurate the third phase in the construction of Shawamekh Dubai, citing the record growth witnessed in the emirate in family tourism, shopping, travel industry and aviation, and what has been achieved in foreign trade during the past few years. This led to establish this huge project, which opens up a wide range of new investments seeking better opportunities and returns.
The Director General of Dubai Customs said that the Department was not absent from those prospects that are opened now in the new phase of the development of the emirate, but it was at the heart of achievement made over the past years, reaching its peak at the level of trade, where Dubai has achieved a new record for the value of its foreign trade, which exceeded AED trillion in the first ten months of the year 2012, surpassing its former achievement of this level throughout the entire year 2011.
Ahmed Butti stressed that this qualitative achievement, which is considered by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as a proof that Dubai pursues strong economic approach that essentially depends on the application of the highest standards and practices, making successful partnerships with regional and global businesses, and developing the economic legislation. Director General of Dubai Customs referred to confirmation of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum that the commercial sector has been and will serve as a cornerstone and a fundamental pillar in the economic structure of the emirate, and the first engine for its development and advancement.
The Director General of Dubai Customs concluded his opening speech by saying: "Our achievements in 2012, is a new step towards our ambitions to realize the vision of Dubai Customs and its leadership globally in all fields, where this integrates with efforts exerted in the rest of the economic, security, social and industrial sectors to maintain the gains made by Dubai and the UAE regionally and internationally".
Khalil Saqer, Director of Corporate Communications,Dubai Customs, said that “Al Farda” has been chosen as the name of the magazine due to the historical significant of this name in the Dubai Trade. The name of "Al Farda" is an authentic Arabic word that means the marina and the main trading sea port of the city in which the goods are received and customs duties are imposed. The use of this word by our fathers was delicate and inherited to denote this position of the banks of the creek, which was used commercially for the process of landing and shipping goods by sea to and from the ancient city of Dubai.