Initial customs agreement had been signed between the UAE Federal Customs Authority (FCA) and Ethiopian Revenues and Custom Authority (ERCA) for mutual technical support concerning custom related issues, The Daily Monitor reported.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the current meeting of the UAE-Ethiopia Joint Committee, according to the reports from Dubai.

Khaled Al Bustani, Acting Director General of FCA was cited by WMA saying the agreement will have significance for the enhancement of trade between UAE and Ethiopia. And asserted FCA’s interest to boost UAE’s international trade partners via similar bilateral agreements to materialize FCA’s strategic targets.

He also noted UAE seeks to assume an outstanding position as a leading world trade hub having trade relation with majority of countries in the world.

The UAE upholds close and viable trade relations with Ethiopia as a strategic partner in Africa, he said.
According to Saud Salem Al Aqrouby, Head of FCA’s International Relations Department, Ethiopia’s trade transaction with UAE has mounted to AED 9.3 billion from 2009 until mid-2014, with UAE’s export standing at AED 1.2 billion.

“This agreement intends to clear away trade barriers via transfer of information and professionals on shipments, customs policies, training, procedures and inspections. It can as well protect both countries from illegal trade practices,” he was cited.

Source: The Daily Monitor