Dubai Customs devises strategy to step up vigil at entry points

The workshop, held under the slogan "Together for a better protection", was aimed at making Dubai Customs Inspectors more aware of the important role they play in protecting the integrity of IPR laws and outlined strategies that would better enable them to prevent the entry of counterfeit goods into the country. Dubai Customs has decided to organize similar workshops every three months.

"The workshop sought to identify the challenges and difficulties faced by Dubai Customs Inspectors and discussed possible solutions. The event involved briefings on how to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit goods, and encouraged the Inspectors to adopt a proactive approach in performing their duties. In addition, the workshop discussed the detrimental effects counterfeit goods have on various industries and on the national economy as a whole," said Yousuf Aziz Mubarak, Senior Manager, IPR Department, Dubai Customs.

"Customs Inspectors have a major role to play in safeguarding the integrity of IPR laws. Through this workshop, we sought to make the Inspectors more aware of their responsibilities and impress on them the need to remain constantly alert. The workshop aimed to enhance the competency level of Dubai Customs Inspectors by updating them on the latest IPR-related developments and making them better acquainted with ways and means to help them more easily identify and seize counterfeit goods," he added.

At the workshop, the IPR Department collaborated with trademark experts, trademarks owners and representatives from law firms' offices to explain the difference between genuine goods and counterfeit ones.