Dubai, May 03th, 2012 (WAM) -- Dubai Customs and Ministry of Environment and Water inked today a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of enhancing joint cooperation, collaboration, exchange of information, expertise, quality service delivery to customers and benefit from available physical and human resources of both parties to facilitate easier and simplified procedures for clearing related environmental services which involve procedural action from the Ministry.
The MoU was signed at a ceremony held at the Dubai Customs main office by Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water and Ahmed Butti Ahmed Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone, Director General of Dubai Customs . Speaking on the occasion, the minister assured that the conclusion of this MoU comes within the framework of the Federal Government strategic key principles which stress on the importance of enhancing effective coordination and integration amongst local and federal government agencies towards ensuring delivery of quality government synergistic services to meeting the needs. He added that the joint effective cooperation between Ministry of Environment & Water and Dubai Customs will definitely contribute to facilitating procedures, accelerate transactions and ensure first class delivery of services to clients, basically, with compliance to legislations, federal and international commitment in areas of environment, preservation of natural resources, promotion of practices and plans related to the Green Customs in parallel to the Global Green Customs Initiative which was proclaimed by the United Nations Environment Program. He stressed the significant role played by Customs administrations as being the front defender in tracking and combating illegal trade in environmental-sensitive commodities, prohibited and restricted goods in pursuant to International Conventions of multi-lateral partners, especially, this illicit trade, despite of the enforcement of laws and control, but still growing to become worldwide activities. Bin Fahad, emphasized that the MoU which objectively targets to provide modern and advanced common platform for exchanging information between the Ministry and Dubai Customs on controlling restricted and prohibited goods. In his statement, Ahmed Butti Ahmed praised the efforts exerted by Ministry of Environment and Water in maintaining environment in UAE by following world benchmarking and providing different forms of support to assist other government departments to perform effectively. He asserted that Dubai Customs will keep on providing necessary support to facilitate smooth flow of trade under surveillance of Customs restrict control to ensure streamline of Customs clearance in-line with local and international legislation and regime. Fahad, said: "Ministry of Environment and Water is a strategic partner in the Customs business, particularly, the procedures related to the clearance of agricultural, chemical and environmental concerns. Ahmed Butti explained that the MoU will avail a broader range of coordination between the two parties in terms of clearing agricultural and veterinary urgent procedures of quarantined goods and commodities which might have environmental potential impacts, whereas, Dubai Customs , as per to its implemented procedures will expedite Customs clearance process. He alluded that on the premises of the signed Memorandum, the Ministry of Environment and Water will provide Dubai Customs with necessary information for safely clearing shipments which believed to have impact on maritime environment and atmosphere. On the other hand, the two parties have agreed on carrying out a network system project so that each can provide technical and technological communication and connection and providing technical support to facilitate the process for exchanging information. The two parties also agreed to establish electronic connection between their approved restrict and registration systems and establishing a third connection point for the Ministry approved electronic systems for the control of potential chemical and garbage. Dubai Customs will empower the employees of the Ministry with necessary facilitations so that they can follow implementation of provisions related to the Ministry and regulations, including access to Customs areas to examine suspected parcels.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.
