DUBAI: Dubai Customs is committed to reinforcing co-operation and co-ordination with the foreign diplomatic corps in order to boost Dubai’s foreign trade.
Living up to this strategic objective, Director of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih has received officials from the British Embassy with whom he held discussions on matters of mutual interest.
Attended by Faisal Issa Lutfi, CEO of Dubai Customs World and External Relations Director at Dubai Customs, the meeting aimed at exploring stronger economic and commercial ties between UAE and the UK.
The British delegation comprised Steve Baker, Country Manager, Fiscal Crime Liaison Office (FCLO); Alun Watkins, Fiscal Crime Liaison Officer; and Douglas Macpherson, Fiscal Crime Liaison Officer of HM Revenue and Customs. “Expanding two-way trade with the UK is our focus at Dubai Customs,” Ahmed Mahboob Musabih said.
The Dubai-UK trade reached $8.08 billion (Dh29.7 billion) in 2015, and $1.82 billion (Dh6.7 billion) in the first quarter of this year with imports accounting for Dh4.6 billion, exports at Dh393 million, and re-exports worth Dh1.66 billion, he noted.
Commercial relationship
“In line with UAE leadership’s directives, we endeavor to strengthen our commercial and customs relationships with the British counterparts to drive growth in Dubai’s bilateral trade with the United Kingdom as one of Europe’s largest trading markets,” he added.
Faisal Lutfi said, “The regular meetings with foreign diplomatic corps are an opportunity to share rich expertise of Dubai Customs with friendly countries when it comes to enhancing customs work around the world. Strengthening customs co-operation with British Customs is part of our strategy in this regard.”
The visiting British officials recognised Dubai’s key position as a global hub of trade between the East and the West, and re-affirmed UK’s commitment to fortifying collaboration with Dubai Customs to ensure the flow of legitimate cross-border trade
