The UAE will take a major step towards stepping up trade and transport links with its neighbouring countries through the introduction of a customs transit system, which will be put under the spotlight at an event in Dubai next week.

A three-day workshop for government officials and industry leaders hosted by the ATCUAE (Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates) will get under way on Sunday to highlight the TIR (International Road Transport) system that facilitates trade and transport links by road, effectively speeding up goods movement over the borders, and slashing time spent by trucks at the frontiers significantly.

Currently linking 68 countries worldwide, the TIR is expected to be introduced in the emirates before the end of this year.

The system allows goods to transit from a country of origin to a country of destination in sealed load compartments. Physical inspection of goods is minimised by the use of standardised and reduced controls, and international customs documents known as Carnets, which are issued by the ATCUAE in the UAE on behalf of the Road Transport Union (IRU).

TIR is said to protect revenues for each country through which goods are carried by ensuring taxes due are covered by an international guarantee.

Experts from IRU will focus the effectiveness of the computerised system, with all seven customs authorities in the UAE now committed to its introduction.

Sharjah Customs and Umm Al Quwain Customs are expected to formally sign agreements on Monday with the ATCUAE to introduce TIR. The ATCUAE has previously signed similar agreements with customs authorities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Fujairah.

ATCUAE president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The introduction of the TIR system will be a milestone in the development of the UAE’s land transport sector, which has a key part to play in the growth of the national economy.

“We’re grateful for the support we have received from the Federal Customs Authority, and of course the customs departments in all seven emirates, and together we are working to bring the TIR system into full operation by the end of the year.”

Sulayem will be among the speakers during the opening session of the workshop on Sunday morning along with Abdulla S Al Katheeri, executive director, land transport, Federal Transport Authority (land and maritime), and Umberto de Pretto, the IRU’s secretary-general.  

Among more than 140 government officials and senior customs and transport industry figures present will be Khaled Ali Al Boustany, acting director-general, Federal Customs Authority, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Economy, CID, the Federal Authority for land and maritime transport and leading transport operators.

Among the first day speakers at the workshop will be Marek Retelski, the IRU’s head for TIR and trade facilitation, who will analyse the role of the private sector in trade and transport facilitation.

Other presentations will be delivered by Tariq Rangoonwala, chairman, Pakistan International Chamber of Commerce, Carlos El Hachem, president, Able Logistics and member of the executive committee of the Arab Union for land transport, Bekmurad Eyeberdiyev, secretary general for Turkmenistan’s Association of International Road Carriers, and Asli Gözütok, TIR and ATA Carnets acting manager, Union of Chamber of Commodity Exchanges of Turkey.-TradeArabia News Service