Organizes the 3rd ATA Carnet workshop within a year
Buamim: The system will promote intraregional economic and trade cooperation and increase the GCC's access to global trade
Mrs Lee Ju Song: The UAE and Dubai Chamber were very quick in introducing and implementing the system in the region
ATA Carnet System saves time, money and speeds up Customs procedures
Dubai, UAE: In view of the advantages associated with the implementation of the ATA Carnet System for GCC Member States, particularly the UAE and Dubai businesses, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry is organizing a three-day workshop from November 28 to November 30 at the Address hotel in Dubai.
Organized in close cooperation with the International Chamber of Commerce (Asia) and the UAE Federal Customs Authority, the third ATA Carnet workshop held within a year's time follows the UAE's ratification of the Istanbul Convention in September, making the UAE the 69th member country of the ATA Carnet system allowing the temporary admission of goods under the agreement.
The launch of the technical workshop, conducted by Mrs Lee Ju Song, ICC Asia Regional Director and a leading expert on the ATA Carnet System, is attended HE Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Acting Director-General, UAE Federal Customs Authority, and local and GCC Customs and Chambers representatives.
The workshop is addressing the steps to be taken and obligations of Customs authorities and chambers for the implementation of the system, its financial implications, daily operation and management. It includes live exercises on the correct handling of Carnets by Customs, chambers and users.
HE Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber maintained that the workshops consolidate the Chamber's relationship with the international body while highlighting its role of a strong supporter of global trade.
Buamim also emphasised on the benefits of the implementation of the ATA Carnet system which through the use of a single document allows the temporary admission of merchandise and goods in the country by saving time, money and facilitating most Customs formalities.
HE Khalid Ali Al Bustani said that as part of the UAE's commitment to implement best international practices and adherence to global conventions that facilitate the free movement of trade, the Federal Customs Authority has introduced and implemented a plan that represents an important step in joining the Istanbul Convention after being agreed by all GCC countries. He also said that the Authority has coordinated with the Foreign Ministry and the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry to choose Dubai Chamber as the national guarantor of the ATA Carnet system in the country.
Said Al Bustani, "The UAE Federal Customs Authority in cooperation with the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry has conducted the necessary studies to determine the importance of the UAE joining the Convention as the country will directly contribute to the development of Customs procedures and the organizing of global commercial, industrial and agricultural conventions and exhibitions which will lead to the growth of the tourism sector. This will in no way affect the existing practices of the national Customs law."
Al Bustani also said that the Federal Customs Authority in cooperation with the GCC members and World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC) have conducted studies regarding this convention and it was agreed that the GCC member countries will join the Convention and work towards the implementation of Articles A and B1 simultaneously before the end of the year. He further stressed that the GCC members have seen that the Istanbul Convention doesn't contradict the common Customs Law of the GCC countries with regards to the temporary admission of goods.
He added, "We are open to the global economies as we always aim to implement the best practices in the Customs field as we also aim to be an active member in the international organisations by joining the Conventions in the interest of national economy while promoting economic growth in the region. Being aware of the importance of the Istanbul Convention for ATA Carnet, the UAE was the first to ask the GCC countries to join the Convention which governs the temporary admission of commodities and products because this Convention is one of the global conventions accepted by the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
The Acting Director-General of UAE Federal Customs Authority lauded the role of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry in providing technical and moral support to the representatives of the Federal Customs Authority and thanked the ICC and Dubai Chamber for organising the workshop.
Atiq Juma Nasib, Senior Director, Commercial Services, Dubai Chamber, said the system will directly help in boosting the business environment as it will encourage UAE businesses to participate in foreign exhibitions while promoting Dubai as an international destination for business, sports, cultural and art events, trade fairs and exhibitions while helping in the economic growth of the country.
He highlighted the crucial role played by Dubai Chamber with the backing of the International Chamber of Commerce, as the Chamber has not only been tirelessly working on laying the foundation for the introduction of the ATA Carnet in the UAE but has been pursuing its implementation in the whole region to support the UAE's initiatives in facilitating international trade.
Atiq further informed that the technical workshops are part of a continuous process spearheaded by the Chamber for the introduction, implementation and administration of the ATA Carnet system in the country and the region as the system will promote intraregional economic and trade cooperation, create a more attractive business environment in the region and increase the GCC's access to global trade.
On her part, Mrs Lee lauded the UAE and Dubai Chamber's promptness in introducing and working towards the implementation of the system at such a fast pace which according to her takes a long time for implementation in other countries. She also said that the Chamber is one of ICC's most active members and has immensely contributed in spreading the organization's trade facilitation work in the region.
She further stressed that the ATA Carnet system also known as Merchandise Passport is applied in 68 countries and is an indispensable marketing tool in helping the business community to successfully develop export markets and enable businesses to have successful business trips as well as a smooth participation in overseas exhibitions.
Mrs Lee is discussing the obligations of the Customs administration in handling the regularization requests as well as the obligations of the importing parties, their responsibilities, joining application procedure, daily operation of the ATA Carnet, its financial aspects, benefits and the framework of the administration of the system.
The ATA Carnet system is the international Customs document issued by an authorised Chamber of Commerce appointed by Customs Administrations and accepted by the ICC's World Chambers Federation and WATAC to facilitate the temporary admission of goods into one or a number of foreign countries without the need of raising bond, taxes and customs duties, provided the goods are totally re-exported from the countries of visit.
The goods may include merchandise, commercial samples including computers, cameras and video equipment, industrial machinery, automobiles, gems and jewellery, wearing apparel and display tools for participation in exhibitions and promotional events. Carnets do not cover consumable or disposable goods (e.g., food and agriculture products) giveaways, or postal traffic.
Operating under the Istanbul Convention of 1990 initiated by the World Customs Organisation, the system serves the business community wanting to admit goods across international borders for a period of not more than a year without having to pay the Customs duty.
The ATA Carnet system entitles the temporary entry of goods along with their marketing representatives and exhibition participants and business travelers. It enables businesses to make arrangements at a cost of specific customs in advance, visit several countries and the use of temporary entry card several times during the validity period which will last one year, and return to their countries without any problems or delays.
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Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favorable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub.
© Press Release 2010
