Dubai Customs Consultative Council held its opening session on January 21st, 2010 headed by H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Dubai Customs Director General. The step reflects Dubai Customs commitment towards the recently announced initiative which is the formation of Dubai Customs Consultative Council and confirms the responsive interaction of the business sectors with the Department.
H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed welcomed the member of the Council and expressed his wishes of success to the Council achieving its sought goals to function as a vital communication bridge between Dubai Customs and its clients and enhance the quality services provided to the clients inline with the Department’s strategic plan and meeting the government directives towards best customer service delivery standards.
H.E. also said that he wishes the Council success in finding the proper solutions for the obstacles and setbacks which might be encountered at work, by relying on the various expertise and experiences, and enhancing business procedures to serve the final objective which is providing the clients with distinguished services. He added that Dubai Customs will give all the support needed to back up the efforts of the Council’s which is to assemble 4 times a year, every annual quarter.
While delivering his opening speech at the meeting which took place at Dubai Customs headquarters, H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed said that the Department was keen on incorporating the different business sectors in representing the Council besides a number of the respective government authorities inline with its interests and directives towards implementing the top business practices and exchanging expertise with the local, regional and international government and private organizations and authorities which will benefit all parties.
“Dubai Customs Business Strategy Document which identifies the corporate vision, mission and values, specifies a large space for the clients who are considered the Department’s ambassadors everywhere. We strive to increase our clients’ satisfaction through introducing the best and the most distinguished services in order to keep pace with Dubai Government directives and meet or even exceed our clients’ expectations.” He said.
H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed also stated:" With your help, these clients will act as key partners when making decisions that concern them. And at the same time, we give much attention to developing our employees’ competencies by providing them with constant training opportunities and enhancing their work conditions so that they can deliver the optimum services in addition to motivating their creativity and innovation. We hope that eventually all these efforts will come together with your visions and wide expertise to achieve the sought objectives.”
Dubai Customs announced the initiative previously on December 29th, 2009 during the Clients Annual Meeting.
H.E. stressed that the Council embodies a real translation of the ongoing partnership and cooperation between the government and the trade sector in the UAE serving the common interest and furthering the performance.
The Council formation initiative was well-received by the members who considered it a significant move taken by a government department to involve the business sectors in the decision making process and towards eliminating any possible business obstacles. They have also stressed their support to the initiative and contributing positively in the Council’s activities.
H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed confirmed that Dubai Customs welcomes any suggestion or comments made by any business group and said that a website will be dedicated to the Consultative Council in order to facilitate the communications among the members and the clients as well as the outcomes and discussions resulting from the Council’s regular meetings.
H.E. stated that Dubai Customs is cooperating with a number of federal ministries and local departments and authorities to eliminate any business obstacles since they all serve the common objectives which are facilitating procedures, reinforcing the local economy, protecting producers trademark owners’ rights and safeguarding social security and individuals’ health. In this context, he shed light on the ongoing cooperation with the Economy, Interior, Health and Environment ministries as well as the General Department of Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, Civil Aviation Department, Tourism Department and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and others.
Mr. Saed Al Awadi, Executive Director of Dubai Export Development Corporation commended the initiative and considered it a pioneering step which mirrors the Government attention to making partnership with the private sector and that it will contribute much to the trade movement as well.
Such was emphasized by Mr. Hisham Al Shirawi, Second Vice-Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Electronics Group and added that it reveals the Government attention to the client.