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H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Dubai Customs Director General received in his office at Dubai Customs headquarters in Port Rashid a high official Indian delegation headed by Mr. R. S. Sidhu, Director General, Revenue Intelligence, New Delhi. and Mr. P Jaideep, Consul (Economic), Consulate General of India in Dubai to look into methods of strengthening cooperation between Dubai Customs and the customs-related government departments in India as well as ways of developing trade relations which bring the two sides together.

The meeting, which took place last week, comes as part of a series of meetings Dubai Customs holds in line with ERTIBAT Program which was launched in the beginning of the current year to reinforce communication with the foreign business councils and the trade attachés affiliated to the diplomatic commissions in Dubai which also enjoy major strategic partnership with the Emirate. They also aim to identify their needs and requirements, discover and open new horizons, foster economic and trade relations and give the large companies the chance to be introduced to the unlimited investment capabilities in Dubai.

H.E. Ahmed Butti stressed the solid relations the UAE has with India on the various levels especially the economic field. India is considered the top trade partner to the UAE. Mutual trade exchanges recorded a jump of 50% during Jan-May 2011 valued at AED 87.2 billion as opposed to AED 58.2 billion in the same period of 2010. Imports had the biggest share with a value of AED 41.3 billion whereas exports valued at over AED 16 billion and re-exports AED 29.8 billion.

Mr. R. S. Sidhu commended the efforts made by Dubai Customs to protect the economy and the community from the prohibited and counterfeited goods and facilitate legitimate trade movement. He also expressed his satisfaction for the utilized systems and procedures at the Department which distinguish it from others and put it among the top ranking customs administrations with regards to the technological advancement.

Moreover, Mr. P Jaideep stated that he takes pride in the high level of business partnership and the strong relations both countries have, as well as his admiration of the adopted producers at Dubai Customs to develop these relations and further them towards multiplying Indian investments in Dubai.

The Indian delegation paid a short visit to Jebel Ali customs Center where they were received by a number of Dubai Customs official personnel including Mr. Metib Albanay, Manager of Jebel Ali Customs Center, Yosuf Al Kaj, Senior Manager of Technical Support Department and Ali Al Shahhi, Manager of Regional and International Relations.

The delegation learned about the implemented procedures at the Center and took a field tour. Dubai Customs personnel briefed the delegation on the systems and machines used at the Department and how they process customs operations and save clients effort and time. Dubai Customs is keen on exerting efforts in the field of safeguarding the community and economy from the illegal and false goods and at the same time gives much interest in exchanging expertise with numerous government departments and customs organizations around the world in line with its strategic plan and mission towards strengthening legitimate trade movement.