Dubai, Chile discuss customs cooperation

The existing  spheres of customs cooperation and the economic and trade relations between Dubai and Chile were discussed today by Ahmed Butti Ahmed, the Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Director General of Dubai Customs, and Carlos Salas, the Trade Commissioner of Chile at the Embassy of Chile in the UAE.

Ahmed Butti Ahmed, in his remarks at the meeting, affirmed that there are opportunities in several areas that supported by the open economic policy adopted by the UAE and the Republic of Chile need to be developed including as well the diversified economic base in the two countries.

He said the volume of trade exchanges between Dubai and the Republic of Chile grew by 2% to Dh615 in 2012 as compared to 2011.

He pointed out that Dubai`s imports from Chile stood at Dh401 million most of which were timber, fresh fruits, foods, tobacco and cigarettes while the volume of exports and re-exports to Chile amounted to Dh214 million the majority of which included textiles, building structures and materials, passengers transport buses and trucks.

"Dubai Customs is interested in strengthening the trade and economic relations with the Republic of Chile and providing all necessary facilitations for Chile companies operating in the country in collaboration with the relevant government agencies and for trading, shipment and logistic companies operating in the two countries within the framework of Dubai Custom`s distinguished customers` service delivery standards relying on hi-tech systems that it applies such as Mirsal 2 and the risk engine," he maintained.

Carlos Salas praised Dubai Customs for its role in enhancing trade movement between the east and west by its advanced infrastructure that are linked to all regions worldwide by major shipping and air lines.

"This visit gave us the opportunity to learn about Dubai Customs` experiment and strengthen cooperation between the two parties in customs area. We have found a great development in Dubai Customs business and so coordination may be made over exchanging customers` introduction to the offered facilitations and services," said Carlos Salas.

"Dubai Customs with its hi-tech systems is the password for the development of these relations particularly the Republic of Chile is famous of the export of fresh vegetables especially apples and sea foods to the world counters, and some major Chile companies take Dubai as a regional center for distributing Chile products to the Asian and Middle East countries," he affirmed.

During the visit, the Trade Commissioner of the Republic of Chile acquainted himself with Dubai Customs` business processes. He was briefed by Abbas Makki, Director of External Relations at Dubai Customs, about Dubai Customs' systems which save time and effort and enhance Dubai`s trade and economic relations with the world.