DUBAI: As part of its “Ertibat” Program, Dubai Customs received a Spanish delegation which included a number of businessmen, and representatives of Dubai-based Spanish companies and diplomatic missions. The meeting aimed at enhancing trade with Spain and tackling any challenges these companies may face. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World and Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs received the delegation which was headed by Eric Robina, Economic Consultant at the Spanish Embassy and Ricardo Fissas, Director of Spanish Business Council.
The meeting was also attended by Abdullah Mohammed Al Khaja, Executive Director of Clients Management Division, and Edris Behzad, Client Management Director, Faisal Issa Lutfi, Executive Director of DC World, and a number of executive directors and heads of departments. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem highlighted the role Dubai Customs plays to develop and promote relationships with foreign business councils in support of the image and economy of Dubai worldwide.
“Dubai offers investors and businesses working from Dubai all what they need to succeed. This includes highly advanced customs services and products which will help towards a better achievement of Dubai Plan 2021” he said. Bin Sulayem explained that Dubai provides a number of investment opportunities to businesses. Investors can work from the free zones which offer a plethora of facilities and incentives to its clients.
Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs highlighted the important role that the partners of Dubai Customs play in the business activity in Dubai. Thanks to their support and confidence in Dubai Customs and its services the Department has gained distinctive international reputation and helped it win the Distinguished Government Department DGEP award, scoring 95% on the Happiness Meter. From his side, Eric Robina praised Dubai Customs efforts in promoting trade between Spain and Dubai saying there are more than 200 Spanish companies working in the UAE.
Ahmed Abdul Salam Kazim, Director of Strategy and Corporate Excellence at Dubai Customs briefed the attendees with the latest trade statistics between Dubai and Spain. The total trade between Dubai and Spain has reached AED 3.4b during the first half of this year: AED 2.77b imports, AED 389m exports, and AED 271m re-exports. During the meeting, Eman Badr Al Suwaidi delivered a presentation on the facilitations and privileges Dubai Customs offers to its clients through the AEO program. Edris Behzad, Client Management Director, explained the benefits of the ATA Carnet which is an international customs document that permits duty-free and tax-free temporary importation of goods for up to one year.
