DUBAI: Dubai’s trade with Qatar grew 92 per cent in the period from 2011 to 2016, reaching AED15 billion last year, according to Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, PCFC. “The GCC customs union is moving steadily towards a full integration between the GCC countries by supporting trade between them and helping them attract more global investment and trade to the region. This is why we, at Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, develop means of cooperation and coordination with the Qatari authorities. Dubai external trade with Qatar reached AED 15 billion in 2016 compared to AED 7.8 billion in 2011,” Bin Sulayem said during a meeting a meeting with a Qatari delegation headed by Ahmed Abdullah Al Jamal, Chairman of Qatar Customs Authority.
The UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are six members of the Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, GCC. Bin Sulayem pointed out that PCFC works towards a full integration between customs authorities in the GCC. “Thanks to the wise directives of the leadership in the two countries, and following vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai we provide the best services and facilitations to our brothers in the GCC countries. Dubai has turned into a major platform and springboard for the GCC’s trade with the world thanks to its advanced infrastructure and the generous facilitations” he explained. Ahmed Abdullah Al Jamal, Chairman of Qatar Customs Authority thanked PCFC for their hospitality and applauded the great advancements in customs work in Dubai Customs he and the Qatari delegation saw for themselves.
The Qatari delegation is in Dubai to learn more about Dubai Customs experience in developing and boosting customs work. They toured the client service centre in Jebel Ali. Youssef Al Hashemi, Director of Customs Centers Management briefed the visitors on the efforts and steps taken to make clients happier and their transactions done faster. The visit also included the customs passenger operation centres in Dubai airports and the Cargo Village Customs Centre.
