The UAE and Saudi Arabia have signed a work plan for the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) agreement launched by the two countries in Dubai, aimed at quickly implementing the mutual acknowledgement.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have signed a work plan for the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) agreement launched by the two countries in Dubai, aimed at quickly implementing the mutual acknowledgement made for the AEO programme between the two countries.

Mohammed Jumaa Busaiba, director-general of the Federal Customs Authority (FCA) and Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Haqbani, director-general of Saudi Customs, signed the work plan, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.

Ali Mohamed bin Subaih Al Kaabi, customs commissioner and chairman of FCA; Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, CEO of DP World and chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, PCFC; Rashid Lahej Nasser Saeed Al Mansouri, director-general of General Administration of Customs in Abu Dhabi; Ahmed Mahboob Musabah, director-general of Dubai Customs; and Mohammed Meer Abdul Rahman Al Sarrah, director of the Department of Seaports and Customs, Sharjah, attended the signing ceremony.

The event was also attended by Abdulrahman Al Zukair, general supervisor of Risk Affairs, Abdul Aziz Al Mahous, director of AEO programme, Mohammed Al Muammar, director of Operations of the programme, and several executive directors and officials in the authority, local customs departments and Saudi Customs.

Al Kaabi emphasised that the work plan represented a new step in the process of strengthening the relations between the customs departments of the two countries, adding that it represented the introductory phase for implementing the mutual acknowledgment in the AEO agreement that was signed between the UAE and Saudi Arabia last year during the Al Azm Retreat.

He said that relations between the customs departments of both countries are going through a historical phase based on the brotherly ties, the unity of history, and fate. He also highlighted that the customs departments in both countries aim to strengthen trade between them and raise the rates of commercial exchange as well as exchange the best customs practices, experience and knowledge. The aim is to overcome the obstacles facing commercial trade and raise private sector participation in the customs process.

Sultan bin Sulayem said that the agreement would double commercial exchange and reduce exports and imports costs. He underlined that the UAE and Saudi Arabia share strong and deep ties in all fields, which are growing at all levels to constitute a model for bilateral relations.

He went on to say that the signing of the work plan of the authorised economic operator agreement with Saudi Arabia is within the framework of building and supporting a mutual interest base and fruitful co-operation to comply with the aspirations of the people of both countries to achieve further cohesion. The economic and commercial cooperation between both nations represents a bright future of the strong bilateral ties, Bin Sulayem continued.

The AEO programme reflects a paradigm shift in the customs work in the UAE as it will facilitate the procedures related to customs clearance of committed companies according to regulations and procedures.