Dubai, UAE, September 29, 2018:  Director of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih received representatives of Japanese companies. The delegation was headed by the Japanese Consul General to Dubai Dr. Akima Umezawa.  

Abdullah Mohammed Al Khaja, Executive Director of Clients Management Division and Farid Hassan Al Marzouqi, Executive Director, Human Resources, Finance and Administration Division attended the meeting which covered topics such as the means of boosting economic cooperation between Japan and the UAE and expanding cooperation with Japanese businesses and diplomatic missions. 

Musabih reaffirmed the importance of cooperating with the Japanese diplomatic missions and companies to support mutual trade between the two friendly states through providing high quality services and facilities to clients and partners. 

“It’s very important for us to boost ties of partnership with our friends in the Japanese business councils and corporates. Official relationships between the UAE and Japan started more than 40 years ago with the opening of the UAE embassy in Japan in 1973 and the Japanese embassy in the UAE in 1974. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the UAE in April 2018 and a number of agreements in energy, technology, innovation, education, and security were signed between the two friendly countries” said Musabih. 

He added: “Preparations toward hosting Expo 2020 is gaining more momentum. Our ties with our partners are gaining more weight and importance, and we work hard at Dubai Customs to develop our initiatives for a better delivery of services and products. With this in mind we launched a number of programs such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) which helps harmonise and facilitate trade in a safe environment across the globe”. 

Musabih added that the UAE has put up a promising plan to achieve a number of leading projects in the coming years following the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. 

On his part, Dr. Akima Umezawa applauded Dubai Customs’ efforts in supporting mutual trade with Japan, and its leading initiatives to develop customs work and environment. 

Edris Behzad, Client Management Director invited the Japanese representatives to learn about the latest services and products Dubai Customs is offering to facilitate legitimate trade. 

Eman Badr Al-Suwaidy, Director of Customs Declaration Management introduced the AEO to the visitors and talked about the great advantages that recognized corporates in the program can gain.

The value of Dubai foreign trade with Japan in 2017 totalled AED 42b, making 12% growth between 2013 and 2017.