Dubai Customs hosts the MENA IPR symposium

According to WCO, Dubai Customs experience is a model that should be implemented at Customs organizations level around the world, stating that it is one of the most distinguished departments which has thoroughly fulfilled its international obligations.

Dubai Customs was selected to host the regional "MENA" IPR symposium emanating from the WCO which was held in Dubai from the third till the seventh of May upon an invitation from the Federal Customs Authority. During the symposium, all participants and lecturers had the opportunity to be informed about Dubai Customs experience as part of the WCO recommendation for all International Customs organizations to be acquainted with the best international practices of IPR protection.

The symposium included WCO experts, delegations representing IPR departments at the British, Japanese customs and private sector experts, and attended by MINA group members.

The symposium was held based on Dubai recommendations emanating from the fourth global conference on combating counterfeiting and piracy 2008, developing capabilities and enhancing Customs employees' competency in the IPR field.

Mr. Yousef AlSahlawi, Executive Director of Legislation and policies Division, Mr. Abbas Makki, Director of Foreign Affairs Department and Mr. Yousef Ozeir, Senior Manager of IPR have received and welcomed the delegations and their valuable participation in this symposium "seeking to raise awareness on the dangers of counterfeiting and piracy and to unify efforts for preventing any form of trade mark infringement in order to reach the targeted objective which lies in protecting consumers and the global economy from those illicit operations".

The Customs delegations representatives have also watched a documentary about the IPR Department at Dubai Customs and the necessary measures it takes regarding trade marks' infringement and the methods used to protect the trade marks owners' rights as well as the society from the dangers of counterfeiting.

Mr. Yousef Ozeir has reviewed the electronic services provided by the IPR Department and provided the participating delegations with a brief summary of trade marks recording, the system's goals and advantages as well as Dubai Customs' vital role in raising public awareness regarding the IPR protection.

The field visit included the IPR Department, the Declaration Service Section, the Declaration Clearance Section as well as the applicable clearing procedures at the Cargo Village in Dubai Airport.