Dubai Exports, an agency of the Department of Economic Development – Government of Dubai, recently hosted the first of a series of meetings of the Exporters Support Network (Sanad).

The meeting discussed ways to reduce the obstacles and challenges being faced by local companies when exporting to foreign markets as well as find solutions to support and develop the exporting sector in the UAE, said a statement.

Members of Sanad included representatives from the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Federal Customs Authority, Dubai Customs, Dubai Trade, and Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology, in addition to Dubai Exports.

Engineer Saed Al Awadi, chief executive officer of Dubai Exports, delivered the welcoming speech followed a presentation by Dubai Exports on its latest services to assist and facilitate exports.

The meeting discussed a number of issues faced by companies operating in various industrial sectors such as identification documents required of the existing industries in the country at border points for an exemption from customs duties.

Other requirements were also discussed including obtaining certificates of origin for manufactured goods in the UAE, as well as the impact of having bilateral trade agreements with the Arab market, which is one of the main target markets for Dubai exports.

“The purpose of these meetings is to enhance cooperation and coordination between institutions and government agencies to maintain excellence and continue to lead, through the establishment of a committee that will bridge between the government entities and companies from industrial sectors. In addition, we will also identify the needs and follow their suggestions and opinions and then submit them to the concerned authorities to develop mechanisms to facilitate and contribute to the removal of these constraints both regionally and globally,” said Eng Al Awadi. –TradeArabia News Service