H.E. Dubai Customs Director General with Sri Lanka Consul General.H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Dubai Customs Director General received in his main office H.E. M M Abdul Raheem, Sri Lanka Consul General in Dubai on the occasion of being recently appointed the aforementioned position and to look into opportunities of mutual cooperation and reinforcing trade between Dubai and Sri Lanka.
H.E. Ahmed Butti stressed the Department’s keenness to foster trade and economic relations with Sri Lanka as trade exchange between both sides increased by 8% in 2010 with AED 1.3 billion as opposed to the AED 1.2 billion recorded in 2009.
H.E. Ahmed Butti briefed the guest on the Department as well as other local customs departments’ business mechanisms in addition to those of the Gulf Customs Union Dubai Customs is part of. He called as well for further exchange of information and expertise which contribute to the development of customs business and serve the public interests.
H.E. Abdul Raheem highlighted the significance of the efforts made by Dubai Customs in supporting legitimate trade movement and expressed his satisfaction for the adopted modus operandi at the Department which reflect its encouragement of traders and investors to do business in Dubai with the minimum administrative requirements and service fees imposed. He pointed out as well that Sri Lanka enjoys distinguished trade and diplomatic relations with Dubai and always seeks to consolidate cooperation taking into account the Emirate’s vital position in the fields of economy and tourism.
The value of trade exchange between Dubai and Sri Lanka reached during January and February, 2011 over AED 202 million while imports had the biggest share in the exchange with AED 148.4 million as well as AED 22.8 million for exports and AED 31 million for re-exports.
Tea, men’s shirts, wooden boards, coconuts and gold top Dubai imports from Sri Lanka. As for Dubai exports to Sri Lanka, they comprise sugar cane, beet, petroleum oil and mineral oil, fish, float glass and iron and steel products. Sugar cane, beet, parts used in manufacturing, domestic tools, cranes, spare parts and machines accessories were the most re-exported goods as well.