Dubai, UAE 22 December 2018:   Director of Dubai Customs, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih said he is optimistic about 2019 based on many positive trade and economic indicators.

 “Oil prices are expected to rise despite a number of global challenges. The UAE economy is expected to witness a 3% growth. Around 118 million passengers used the UAE airports in the first 11 months of 2018,” says Musabih “The UAE announced biggest budget in its history for 2019 at AED 60 billion. These are all positive indicators that our economy is doing well”.

“Dubai Customs is playing an effective role in supporting the national economy and the efforts in hosting the Expo2020 by providing businesses with the best services and facilitating their trade. This has resulted in a growth in Dubai foreign trade which made AED 965 billion in the first 9 months of 2018” adds Musabih.   

More focus on e-commerce and AI applications, coupled with more mutual agreements with countries under the Authorized Economic Operator’s umbrella were the main highlights of Dubai Customs 2019 plan, says Musabih during the Dubai Customs Consultative Council’s quarterly meeting. 

The meeting was attended by heads of business and trade groups, members of the Council, and in the presence of Abdullah Mohammed Al Khaja, Executive Director of Clients Management Division, and Farid Hassan Al Marzouqi, Executive Director, Human Resources, Finance and Administration Division.

Mohammed Rashid bin Hashim, Senior Manager of Demand Management had a presentation on Advance Rulings initiative. Advance rulings are binding decisions by Customs at the request of the person concerned on specific particulars in relation to the intended importation or exportation of goods. Advance rulings can be requested with regard to either the classification, the origin or the Customs value of the goods in preparation for importation or exportation. Advance rulings facilitate the declaration and consequently the release and clearance process, as critical assessments in relation with the goods have already been made in the advance ruling.

After that Ahmed Musleh, Head of Prohibited and Restricted goods at Dubai Customs talked about Customs Warehousing, which is a procedure that enables the suspension of Customs Duty, for the imported goods in premises authorized by Customs.

On his part, Malik Hanouf, CEO of Brand Owners’ Protection Group applauded Dubai Customs efforts in protecting the rights of brand owners. 
In the meeting, the supply chain and logistics, retail, and electronics groups discussed their future plans of expansion and growth.