Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC) in collaboration with the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), has launched an alert service to update UAE firms on new trade rules and standards in export markets.

The new service will provide companies updates from the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the changing procedures and regulations on world export, said EDC, an agency of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, Government of Dubai.

The service aims to enhance the awareness of exporters and investors on various changes on trade regulations and standards in foreign markets to ensure that the exported products correspond to the prevailing specification or trade rule, it added.

This service also allows local exporters to express their views on the amendments or new trade laws and specifications proposed by importing countries, the EDC said in a statement.

“Through this service, companies in the emirates are given an opportunity to learn latest information and updates on export rules and regulations proposed by countries and referred to Esma by WTO. They are also given the opportunity to give their views and comments by sending their feedback to the enquiry point in ESMA,” said Saed Al Awadi, chief executive officer, EDC and a board member at Esma.

“Launching this service is an important step which will alert exporters and traders on the changes in their target markets allowing them to modify, if necessary, their products at an early stage to comply with the new changes before exporting to the specific country,” Al Awadi observed.

According to him, EDC will screen the WTO notifications referred by Esma and prioritise them according to EDC target products and markets.

'EDC will then alert its concerned members about the notification through SMS and email, while the full text of the notification is available on EDC website. A link on both EDC and Esma websites will also feature the Exporters’ Alert service providing quick access. The service is accessible only to EDC members and interested companies must sign-up to avail it.'

The alert service is a result of EDC and ESMA’s strategic partnership and aims to overcome the technical obstacles imposed by international trade laws.

Both EDC and Esma share the same key objectives of supporting the national economy and the development plans as well as increasing the share of exports in the UAE’s GDP, he added.-TradeArabia News Service