Dubai Customs organises 3rd DCCC meeting in 2022 amid expectations of more economic growth

DUBAI, Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), said that the economic sectors in the UAE are performing positively and are likely to achieve more growth, during the meeting of the 3rd Dubai Customs Consultative Council (DCCC).

 

The UAE’s foreign trade for the first 6 months of this year exceeded AED 1 trillion, and the tourism sector recorded revenues of more than 19 billion dirhams. Moody’s Investors Service forecasts UAE real GDP growth of 6-7 percent in 2022, and the non-oil economy of 4 percent to 5 percent.

 

During the meeting, held in the presence of Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director-General of Dubai Customs and PCFC CEO, and business and trade groups in the emirate, Bin Sulayem stressed that the comprehensive economic partnership agreements concluded by the UAE will push up foreign trade rates even further and consolidate the country’s position as a main hub in international trade.

 

He noted that Dubai Customs stands firmly in support of these agreements through continuous development of its smart customs systems, which resulted in significant increase in customs transactions to 12.7 million in the first half of 2022 compared to 11.3 million in the corresponding period in 2021, growing 12.3 percent.

 

“The economic sectors in Dubai are moving with confidence to achieve exceptional breakthroughs following the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to establish Dubai as the preferred destination for trade and a global capital for business. Expo 2020 Dubai has shed more light on the emirate and showcased to the world the extent of progress and development and the enormous investment and tourism opportunities it possesses.”

 

For his part, Musabih said that the UAE has been agile, dynamic and efficient in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was among the quickest to overcome its repercussions, maintaining good levels of growth compared to before the pandemic.

 

“The Authorised Economic Operator Agreements are expected to boost this growth further. We also expect strong recovery in the tourism sector especially at the winter season and the advent of the Qatar World Cup. The UAE is expected to receive more than a million visitors during the World Cup season. It is very important at this stage to reaffirm the importance of cooperation and partnership between the government and the private sectors in sustaining national development,” he explained.

 

A number of presentations were delivered during the meeting. Rashed Rahma, Director of IT at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, presented the new smart attestation system. Traders as of 1/2/2023 can get their documents and invoices attested and approved online without any human intervention. The system is integrated with the banks and this would facilitate the procedure and reduce the time and cost needed for attestation and approvals.

 

Mirza Hamid, Senior Analyst at Dubai Customs delivered a presentation on the Export Trader Report service, which will help support traders to zero rate goods exported by clearing agents or assigned freight forwarders by overseas buyers. These Traders faced a challenge whereby they were unable to zero rate exported goods due to the lack of documentary proof of export. The new online service aims to provide the necessary official proof required by the VAT legislation in order for these Traders to zero rate the export of goods within the specified period.

 

In his presentation, Shashi Shekhar, Group Chairman, Supply Chain and Logistics Group (SCLG), said international retail sector is expected to grow to US$40 trillion by 2040, and this opens huge investment opportunities for investors and traders in the region. He said multinational firms have recovered from the pandemic, but the SME sector is still facing some challenges.

 

Source: Emirates News Agency

Dubai Customs organizes 3rd DCCC meeting 2022 amid expectations of mor

His Excellency Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation said that the economic sectors in the UAE are performing positively and are likely to achieve more growth.

The UAE’s foreign trade for the first 6 months of this year exceeded one trillion dirhams, and the tourism sector recorded revenues of more than 19 billion dirhams. Moody’s Investors Service forecasts UAE real GDP growth of 6%-7% in 2022, and the non-oil economy of 4% to 5%.

His Excellency stressed during the meeting of the 3rd Dubai Customs Consultative Council (DCCC), in the presence of His Excellency Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs, CEO of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, and business and trade groups in the emirate, that the comprehensive economic partnership agreements concluded by the UAE will push up foreign trade rates even further and consolidate the country’s position as a main hub in international trade.

He noted that Dubai Customs stands firmly in support of these agreements through continuous development of its smart customs systems, which resulted in significant increase in customs transactions to 12.7 million in the first half of 2022 compared to 11.3 million in the corresponding period in 2021, growing 12.3%.

“The economic sectors in Dubai are moving with confidence to achieve exceptional breakthroughs following the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish Dubai as the preferred destination for trade and a global capital for business. Expo 2020 Dubai has shed more light on the emirate and showcased to the world the extent of progress and development and the enormous investment and tourism opportunities it possesses.”

For his part, H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs, CEO of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation said the UAE has been agile, dynamic and efficient in dealing with the covid-19 pandemic, and it was among the quickest to overcome its repercussions, maintaining good levels of growth compared to before the pandemic.

“The Authorized Economic Operator Agreements are expected to boost this growth further. We also expect strong recovery in the tourism sector especially at the winter season and the advent of the Qatar World Cup. The UAE is expected to receive more than a million visitors during the World Cup season. It is very important at this stage to reaffirm the importance of cooperation and partnership between the government and the private sectors in sustaining national development.”

A number of presentations were delivered during the meeting. Rashed Rahma, Director of IT at Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the new smart attestation system. Traders as of 1/2/2023 can get their documents and invoices attested and approved online without any human intervention. The system is integrated with the banks and this would facilitate the procedure and reduce the time and cost needed for attestation and approvals.

Mirza Hamid, Senior Analyst at Dubai Customs delivered a presentation on the Export Trader Report service, which will help support traders to zero rate goods exported by clearing agents or assigned freight forwarders by overseas buyers. These Traders faced a challenge whereby they were unable to zero rate exported goods due to the lack of documentary proof of export. The new online service aims to provide the necessary official proof required by the VAT legislation in order for these Traders to zero rate the export of goods within the specified period. The trader is still required to meet all the other requirements for zero rating, including the retention of the exit certificate and commercial documents proofing the export, and ensuring the goods are exported within the prescribed period of 90 days of the date of supply. This Trader Export Report will only apply to imported goods, which were subsequently exported, and does not apply to goods acquired locally.

In his presentation, Shashi Shekhar, Group Chairman, Supply Chain and Logistics Group (SCLG) said international retail sector is expected to grow to $40 trillion by 2040, and this opens huge investment opportunities for investors and traders in the region. He said multinational firms have recovered from the pandemic, but the SME sector is still facing some challenges.

“Dubai Customs’ services are exceptional, and there are dynamic and flexible policies in place that aid businesses across different sectors. The DCCC initiative is a great platform through which Dubai Customs listens to its clients and responds to their needs.”

Nadia Abdul Aziz, President of National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL) talked about Dubai as a competitive city and highlighted the emirate’s advantages including the ease of business and the distinctive facilities provided to investors and traders, noting that Dubai is among the best cities to live and make business.

 

Source: DUBAI CUSTOMS

DEWA CEO receives Speaker of Utah House of Representatives

DUBAI, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), met a delegation from the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission of the Utah House of Representatives, USA.

 

He highlighted DEWA’s projects and initiatives guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

 

Brad Wilson, Speaker of Utah House Representatives, led the delegation, which included Senator Scott Sandall from the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission of the Utah House of Representatives. The visit aimed to discuss bilateral cooperation and learn about DEWA’s ambitious initiatives and innovative development projects in the water and renewable and clean energy sectors, in line with the wise leadership’s vision. The visitors also learnt about Dubai’s exemplary experience in providing advanced and integrated infrastructure for electricity and water according to the highest standards of reliability, availability, and efficiency to meet the increasing demand and keep pace with sustainable development needs.

 

Al Tayer welcomed the American delegation, explaining DEWA’s work, activities, development, and continuous progress in its services. He highlighted DEWA’s key projects, especially the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world, using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. It will have a production capacity of 5,000 megawatts by 2030. Al Tayer also spoke about the pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta using clean energy which is the first in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area, and the Green Hydrogen project, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. He also referred to DEWA’s other key projects and strategic initiatives that support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100 percent of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.

 

Al Tayer explained that DEWA has plans to invest AED40 billion in capital expenditure in five years, specifically to expand renewable and clean energy projects. It has a robust infrastructure capable of meeting the growing demand, supporting the growth of the green economy, and enhancing the competitiveness of the UAE in clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. DEWA has adopted the Independent Power and Water Producer (IPWP) model, contributing to a significant decrease in capital expenditure per megawatt of installed energy. It has attracted investments of about AED40 billion using this model. DEWA has also achieved many world records for the lowest price (levelised cost) of solar energy and desalinated water, making Dubai a global benchmark for solar energy and desalinated water prices.

 

Al Tayer also said that DEWA is committed to maintaining its global position as one of the most distinguished and pioneering utilities in the world. It is keen to enrich the customer experience through digital services that save their time and efforts by using the latest disruptive technologies of the fourth industrial revolution including Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. Through Digital DEWA, its digital arm, the utility works to redefine the concept of a utility by contributing to creating a new digital future for Dubai and becoming the first digital utility in the world with autonomous systems for renewable energy and storage, with the expansion of AI and digital services.

 

The visiting delegation said American companies were interested in participating in DEWA’s projects, especially those related to clean energy, and exchanging experiences, information, technologies and best international practices. They stressed the importance of discussing cooperation opportunities and strengthening bilateral relations.

 

Source: Emirates News Agency

‘Hama’ enhances future readiness of female national service recruits

DUBAI, Launched in partnership by the Government Development and the Future Office and the National Service and Reserve Staff Authority in June, “Hama” received a great response from top public sector entities, national and international companies, and academic institutions which partnered to support this new model of national service. “Hama” is the first of its kind initiative that focuses on developing a new generation of skills and enhancing the readiness of female recruits.

 

“Hama” arms national service recruits with future-critical skills in the digital, occupational, creative, and personal domains. Recruits will be given opportunities to refine their skills in problem-solving and communication that are needed to pursue careers in entrepreneurship, design, innovation, customer service, and project management.

 

Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon: We are proud of the success of “Hama”

 

Staff Major General Pilot Sheikh Ahmed Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chief of National Service and Reserve Staff Authority, stressed that “Hama” represents a new and exciting paradigm for national service in the UAE by empowering female soldiers with skills needed for a successful career at the conclusion of their service.

 

Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon said that National Service and Reserve Staff Authority is proud of the success of this new initiative and its positive impacts on Emirati female recruits and hopes it will increase the number of Emirati women willing to volunteer for national service. The National and Reserve Service Authority will work in partnership with the Government Development and the Future Office to expand the scope of “Hama” and continue its efforts with future female service recruits to provide Emirati women with specialized skills, an objective closely aligned with the goals of national service.

 

The Head of the National and Reserve Service Authority praised “Hama” partners in the private and academic sectors for their response to empower female soldiers and develop their future skills. Sheikh Ahmed further applauded the partners’ keenness for providing high-quality opportunities for Emirati female military recruits.

 

Ohood Al Roumi: Reinforcing partnerships with the private and academic sectors equips female soldiers with the future skills they need Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and The Future, stressed the importance of establishing strong partnerships between entities and corporations in the public, private and academic sectors to equip female national service recruits with the skills needed to shape the success of the UAE in various domains in the future.

 

Al Roumi said that the notable response to “Hama” reflects the importance of such a program in motivating national talent and preparing them for the future. The partners’ awareness of Emirati youth and their potential as national service recruits proves their crucial role in leading the change and building a future in which the UAE aims to reach the highest ranks globally.

 

She thanked the partners of “Hama” for their commitment to support female national service recruits by enhancing their skills and readiness for the future and providing them with self-development opportunities. Al Roumi also noted that the private sector and academic institutions have a pivotal role in developing an ecosystem that fosters and motivates talent. The investment in their minds and energy enables them to grow, develop, and participate in designing the future.

 

Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh: We share visions with “Hama” program by empowering female soldiers with future skills Dr. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University said: “I am pleased that the United Arab Emirates University has been selected to participate in such a great initiative to enhance the readiness of female national recruits in the eleventh cohort. “Hama” enables them to develop their skills and identify new and future fields that contribute to the development of the national service. The recruits’ scientific and practical capabilities will be further developed by providing them with the knowledge that enhances their aspirations and contributes to building their future career path.

 

Through four decades of its establishment by the late Sheikh Zayed, the United Arab Emirates University has been an academic destination and a national incubator by offering programs and specializations in science, technology, and innovation in order to support and expand the scientific research capabilities of its students.

 

”I would like to commend the insightful vision of our wise leadership who emphasize the importance of developing education as the core of sustainable and comprehensive national growth and their never-ending belief in the value of investing in citizens as the most important element of wealth in the country.” Dr. Nusseibeh stressed that the United Arab Emirates University has a vital role in “Hama” by equipping female national service recruits with future abilities and empowering them with a new concept that enhances needed skills for their future careers. “Hama” is an incentive for them to continue learning and acquire skills required to participate effectively in building the future of the UAE.”

 

H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair: “Hama” is a promising concept of sustainable national development Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education said: “I am proud that the Foundation has been given the opportunity to equip and empower all female recruits of the eleventh cohort with future-critical skills.

 

The strength and resilience that Emirati women showcase are truly inspiring, and their contribution in building a strong foundation for the nation’s growth and success is absolutely critical. Through this partnership we will ensure the future talents of our nation are equipped with the necessary tools to develop their professional and practical skills, thus enriching their journey towards further development and workforce readiness.”

 

Naglaa Al Midfa: We are working with “Hama” to enable female recruits to achieve their ambitions Najla Al Midfa, Executive Director of the Sharjah Center for Entrepreneurship “Sheraa”: We are proud to be part of Hama and are working closely with our nation’s female recruits to not only unlock their entrepreneurial capabilities, but to also empower them in bringing their ambitions to life. We live in a world that is transforming at a rapid pace, with new technologies emerging and disrupting industries on a regular basis, and it is paramount that we ensure our national talent pool is prepared for the workforce of the future.

 

Najla Al Midfa added: The UAE’s wise leadership has always fostered a culture of innovation and forward-thinking, and in line with this vision, Sheraa believes in harnessing the power of human potential to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. Our partnership with the Government Development and the Future Office is testament to our shared belief that entrepreneurship is about more than just building a business; it is about envisioning a better future for all and creating a lasting legacy of impact. Together, we will train a new generation of changemakers that are future-ready with the skills needed to reach new horizons.

 

Fahad Al Hassawi: We will always empower female recruits professionally and technologically Commenting on du’s participation in “Hama”, Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO, du, said, “It is an honor to be participating in the empowerment of female recruits in the UAE. du has a long-standing reputation as a trusted telecom partner for envisaging future-proof technologies along sound digital transformation efforts. This time around, du looks forward to sharing insight in dedicated training and support to the next generation of aspiring UAE nationals, as we enter the new age of disruption.”

 

Abdulaziz Al-Sowailim: Partnering with “Hama” is an investment in young Emirati women “We are truly proud to be collaborating again with the Government Development and the Future Office on Hama,” said Abdulaziz Al-Sowailim, Chairman and CEO of EY Middle East and North Africa (MENA). “Through this initiative, we will be offering Emirati female military recruits our knowledge in a wide range of future skills and subjects to better facilitate their transition back into the workforce. We believe that empowering these women with the business tools they need to adjust to a corporate environment will not only add value to their long-term careers but is a direct contribution to the UAE’s national agenda and drive for diversity and inclusion. We see this collaboration as a strategic investment in the young female Emiratis of today to secure the success of the country tomorrow.”

 

Naim Yazbeck: We are committed to empower women so they can achieve more “It is crucial to ensure that all people remain competitive in the digital economy,” said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “As part of our mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more, we are committed to enabling women in the UAE and beyond to pursue the path to success in a digital-first economy. The UAE’s inspiring female national service recruits are demonstrating their commitment to their country every day, setting an example for all of us, and we are proud to collaborate with the Government Development and the Future Office in furthering that commitment by equipping them with the latest digital tools and knowledge.”

 

Rajai El Khadem: We will support the Hama program to prepare women cadets for the future Rajai El Khadem, Head of LinkedIn MENA- Government and Academia, said: “We are proud to be supporting Hama in preparing 300 women cadets to enter the job market after completing their national service. This partnership brings to life LinkedIn’s vision to create economic opportunity for every member of the workforce: our team and trainers will run an integrated curriculum over 6 months to introduce participants to LinkedIn and how to best leverage the platform to build their professional digital identity. We will also organize sessions on various skills such as professional communications, networking, and job interviews among other topics.”

 

Source: Emirates News Agency

Dubai Smart Police Stations welcome 2 million visitors in five years

DUBAI, The Dubai Smart Police Stations (SPS), the world’s first and only unmanned smart police stations, have welcomed 2,067,000 visitors, and smartly processed 363,189 transactions since they were first introduced in 2017.

 

Major General Ali Ahmed Ghanim, Director of the General Department for Logistic Support and Head of the Government and Private Sector Team for Smart Police Stations, said, “Today, on the 5th anniversary of the inauguration of the first smart police station (SPS), we take pride in being the pioneers of digital transformation and utilisation of smart police services to provide customers with smart services 24/7 and without human intervention.”

 

Maj. Gen. Ghanim explained that the success of the SPS project reflects the keenness of the Dubai Police General Command to achieve the government’s objective of improving the quality of life of community members, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

 

“Dubai residents, visitors, and tourists can easily avail of smart police services round the clock and without human intervention through these smart police stations, which provide top-notch services with ease and per the highest standards,” Maj. Gen. Ghanim said.

 

The 22 SPS, in all its editions – SPS, Drive-Thru, Walk-in, offers 27 essential services 24×7, such as reporting crimes and traffic incidents, and offers a further 33 community-based services to customers in seven languages: Arabic, English, Spanish, French, German, Russian and Chinese.

 

During the EXPO 2020 Dubai, the Smart Police Station (SPS) welcomed visitors, residents, and delegations of prime ministers, presidents, ministers, royalties, and distinguished individuals worldwide. The self-service police stations served Expo 2020 visitors 24×7.

 

Source: Emirates News Agency

UAE President, VP congratulate Chilean President on Independence Day

ABU DHABI, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to President Gabriel Boric of Chile on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day.

 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, also dispatched a similar message to President Boric.

 

Source: Emirates News Agency