Director General of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih continued his virtual meetings with directors of customs departments around the world to develop means of cooperation in what has been a testing time for all.

HE held a video meeting with Marcello Minenna, Director General of the Italian Customs to discuss best practices to protect the society from the hazards of the pandemic and how to support the global trade flow and supply chains.

In the meeting, Musabih highlighted Dubai Customs’ noticeable efforts in providing best smart services and customs facilities to clients relying on a very advanced technical infrastructure, and the success of the remote working experience in the Government Department. 

HE talked also about the stimulus package which Dubai launched to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on merchants and investors. It included a refund of 20% on the customs fees imposed on imported products sold locally in Dubai markets, and the cancellation of the Dh50,000 bank guarantee or cash required to undertake customs clearance activity.

On his part, Marcello Minenna, Director General of the Italian Customs talked about the Italian experience in facilitating entry of medications, masks and respirators to the Italian market to accommodate for the growing need to these medical supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.

Minenna hailed the efforts and procedures taken by Dubai Customs to ensure business and trade continuity thanking Dubai Customs for the facilities they offered to ease restrictions on any goods imported to Italy or exported from it.

Mutual trade between Dubai and Italy made DH9.5b in the first half of this year. Imports had the lion share at Dh8b, imports amounted to Dh667b and re-exports made Dh739.

At the end of the meeting, Musabih invited his Italian counterpart to attend and participate in the 5^th WCO Global AEO Conference which Dubai Customs organizes in coordination with the Federal Customs Authority and the World Customs Organization in February 2021in Dubai.