H.E Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Director General Dubai Customs, received today (Sunday February 24, 2013) H.E Mohammed Anfulos, the new Customs Attaché at the French Consulate in Dubai, accompanied by Mrs. Mary Christin Lang, the French Deputy Consul General Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The visit marked the occasion of Anfulos’s taking on his post at the French Consulate in Dubai.
During the visit, cooperation aspects between Dubai Customs and the French Customs were elaborated, as both sides have a firmly established relationship especially after signing the MoU related to the exchange of administrative assistance in customs field in November 2006. They also discussed cooperation between the two organizations in sharing information and learning about best followed customs practices. Dubai Customs’ efforts in this field include organization of workshops which the French Customs takes part in. on the other hand, French manufacturers conduct workshops to train and educate customs inspectors, business sector, borders security agencies and the rest of community members about the risks of commodities and products’ counterfeiting and piracy and their damaging consequences .
H.E Butti commended the cooperation of the French Customs, asserting Dubai Customs commitment to enhance the ties between both sides and to continue to work on reinforcing the strategic partnership between them. He pointed out that, among European countries, France is considered one of Dubai’s most prominent trade partners.
On his side, Mohammed Anfulos applauded the potentials and competencies of Dubai Customs to strike balance between laws implementation, facilitation of trade and applying best practices at work which all reflect positively on trade exchange in the region and contribute to enhancing international trade as well.
In terms of trade exchange between Dubai and European countries, France comes fifth, as the value of trade exchange between them from January to October 2012 amounted to AED 15 billion. Imports from France reached AED 14 billion in value and included perfumes, jewellery, precious metals and electronics. On the other hand, exports to France valued at AED 456 million and re-exports at AED 789 million.