The UAE Minister of Economy held a crucial meeting with strategic partners from the various government sectors to discuss steps to boost trade and support the emirates' economic development.

Addressing the meeting at his office in Dubai, Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori said the Ministry of Economy was committed to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination among various departments and was also keen to build close ties with strategic partners.

The Ministry, he said, was working towards strengthening economic competiveness in line with the UAE vision 2021.

Al Mansoori urged all partners to communicate with the concerned authorities in the Ministry regarding any obstacles or challenges related to import and export and certificates of origin issues.

During the meeting, the government officials provided an overview of the challenges facing manufacturers in the UAE. They also presented suggestions and proposals to tackle the challenges, especially to promote trade.

Al Mansoori promised that his ministry will initiate action immediately on all issues that fall under its mandate, most notably the electronic certificates of origin, which have contributed to strengthen trade significantly and boost the economy.

As a first step he directed his team to form specialised committees to co-ordinate and follow up the issues of barriers resulting from customs, borders and certificates of origin and other related issues.

He also asked them to provide the strategic partners the agenda of the meetings of joint committees organised by the Ministry internally and outside the UAE. A follow-up meeting will be held in October.-TradeArabia News Service