KUWAIT CITY: Dubai and Kuwait are both working on some high level projects. Kuwaiti Customs delegation was welcomed in Port DP by Sultan Ahmed bin Salayem, Chairman of DP World, where more hopes of mutual cooperation were reflected on the future of both’ countries.
Dubai Customs received a high-level delegation from Kuwait Customs to reinforce inter-GCC cooperation and exchange of expertise. The delegation was headed by Khalid Abdullah Al Saif, Director General of the General Administration of Kuwait Customs.
The visiting Kuwaiti Customs delegation was welcomed by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, along with Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs. They expressed hope that such mutual cooperation would reflect positively on their customs operations and systems, while also bolstering the UAE and Dubai’s growing commercial ties with the State of Kuwait.
The parties discussed potentials of future collaboration in Customs business as the Kuwaiti delegation learned about Dubai Customs’ advanced experience in improving its level of performance to keep up with the prime role the emirate of Dubai is playing on the regional and global trade and investment arena.
Bin Sulayem praised the exchange of such visits as being particularly important in the course of inter-GCC trade and customs cooperation. He stressed Dubai Customs’ keenness on enhancing coordination and sharing of expertise with all relevant customs authorities in the member-states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The objective is to promote the GCC Customs Union for stronger and better trade in the region.
“Proceeding from the directives of UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai continues to support the growth of inter-GCC trade through high-end trading and customs facilities and services backed by steady investment in infrastructure,” he said. “We also seek to share our expertise in Dubai with our counterparts in the Gulf, as the emirate moves into broader horizons guided by His Highness’s insistent call to unleash the spirit of innovation to the fullest to achieve a successful transformation into the world’s smartest city.”
Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, said: “Dubai Customs, in collaboration with our strategic partners in the ports, airports and free zone authorities of Dubai, seeks to provide every needed facility to boost inter-GCC trade and make utmost benefit from the leading position occupied by Dubai as a regional and international trading and business hub.”
Dubai is eager to increase trade flow with the State of Kuwait, which experienced considerable upsurge in the recent years, he added.
“Dubai-Kuwait trade grew 19 % in 2013 to reach AED 18.9 billion, while it scored 6.1 % growth in the first half of 2014 to AED 10.3 billion, with imports representing AED 2.3 billion, exports AED 2.4 billion, and re-exports AED 5.5 billion,” Musabih stated.
Khalid Abdullah Al Saif, Director General of Kuwait Customs, hailed the incredible development Dubai Customs has put into its package of services and facilitations. “The great achievement attained by Dubai Customs in improving customs processes and operations is a source of pride for us in the GCC countries. Thus, we are committed to raising the bar of mutual cooperation between the General Administration of Kuwait Customs and Dubai Customs through sharing of expertise and information to enhance integration in the GCC customs work and trade environment.”
Al Saif also praised the world-class experience of Dubai Customs which sets a good model not only for the region but also worldwide.
