High-level US delegation visits Dubai Customs

Members of the US delegation included Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, and Representatives John Gingrey and John Linden. The 16-member delegation was accompanied by Michele Sison, US Ambassador to the UAE, and Jason L. Davis, Consul General at the US Consulate General in Dubai.

The US delegation held a series of discussions with senior officials at Dubai Customs, focusing on various issues including measures to tighten port security and stepping up bilateral cooperation in facilitating secure and legitimate international trade.

"The visit by the US delegation, which has in its ranks such eminent personalities as Senators Chambliss and Isakson, is in keeping with the close nature of interactions we have followed through the years with US authorities," said Ahmed Butti Ahmed. "Dubai Customs has initiated exchange programmes with the authorities of various countries, including the US, UK and France. These programmes have proven to be mutually beneficial, as they facilitate the exchange of information and expertise."

Saxby Chambliss said, "We have traditionally had close relations with the UAE authorities. The visit gave us a fuller appreciation of the significant leaps UAE has made in terms of securing the country's ports, and the technology and procedures they have in place to ensure that Customs inspections are adequately rigorous."

The US delegation's visit closely follows another official visit to Dubai Customs by a group of US dignitaries headed by David H. McCormick, Undersecretary of Commerce.

During the meeting, Butti Ahmed gave a detailed account of the progress Dubai Customs has made over the past decade, especially in the last few years. Central to this progress has been the implementation of the latest technology systems and adoption of innovative inspection techniques to ensure a more fail-safe inspection process. Dubai Customs has deployed a range of state-of-the-art solutions to cope with the increased volume of goods coming in as a result of a dramatic improvement in container handling capability at the Dubai Ports.