Dubai Customs signs strategic development agreement with Djibouti Customs

The agreement was signed between Sultan Ahmad bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Ports Customs and Free Zones Corporation (PCFC) and H.E. Yasin Elmi Bouh, Minister of Finance, Republic of Djibouti in Dubai yesterday (Sunday, 9 January 2005).

Under the terms of the 21-year agreement, Dubai Customs will undertake the administrative procedures, development of systems, financial operations, measures of Customs inspection of Djibouti Customs in addition to implementing advanced IT infrastructure solutions as well as developing training programs for personnel in different professional cadres categories for the Authority.

Commenting on the agreement, Bin Sulayem said, 'This agreement is the culmination of several years of cooperation that existed between the Djibouti authorities and PCFC. The Customs Authority plays a key role in mitigating risks to society, by enacting effective regulation that protect and aid the economic and social well-being of society. In particular this agreement will facilitate the transfer of expertise of Dubai Customs to Djibouti authorities, to enact measures and application of international criteria for the inspection of the goods and follow-up of its movement increasing the revenues for the Republic of Djibouti.'

H.E. Yasin Elmi Bouh said, 'The Republic of Djibouti enjoys a strategic geographical location at the Horn of Africa, sitting on the shipment lines for transhipment, either as a feeder for regional ports or between ships on different oceanic routes. The cooperation agreement we have reached with Dubai Customs will enable us to raise our technical abilities for dealing with the expanded scope that a customs authority plays in the world today. The process is central to the strategies undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Djibouti to reform the sector in order to promote transparency in all our Customs measures and procedures, as well as developing employee efficiency in order to draw foreign investments and the strengthening the national economy.'

Senior executives and officials attended the signing ceremony including, Ahmad Butti Ahmad, Director General, Dubai Customs; Hamed Fadel Al Mazhrouny, Advisor to the Executive Chairman, Dubai Customs; Elmy Osman Younis, General Manager, Djibouti Customs, Abdal Rahman Boureh, President, Djibouti Ports Authority and Osman Moussa, Consul General of Republic of Djibouti in Dubai among others.

The agreement is a logical extension of the earlier development agreements of PCFC with authorities in the Republic of Djibouti, which started with the development of Djibouti airport and the establishment of Dorala Port and Free Zone in Djibouti.