Abu Dhabi and US Customs sign cooperation agreement

An agreement between the capital's Department of Finance's General Directorate of Customs and US Customs and Border Protection will enhance cooperation between the two authorities.

ABU DHABI // An agreement signed today between the capital's Department of Finance's General Directorate of Customs and US Customs and Border Protection will enhance cooperation between the two authorities.

The deal focuses on sharing training knowledge and technical expertise, along with vital security information to both parties.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of a training session organised by the General Directorate of Customs Abu Dhabi.

"This agreement falls in line with both parties' commitments to protect their borders from any risks, whereby we seek to strengthen theses two countries' positions as safe destinations for travel and business," said Saeed Ahmed Al Muhairi, director general of Abu Dhabi Customs.

"Hence, I would like to mention the great interest provided by the Department of Finance, in strengthening cooperative efforts with strategic partners at home and abroad. In fact, this enables the realisation of both parties' common interests which then would contribute in supporting customs work, the process of border security and in facilitating the flow of legitimate trade across borders."

In April this year US officials agreed to open a US Customs post at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

This means people travelling to America will pass through security before take off, in an effort to reduce queue times and improve security.

Abu Dhabi customs officials have also been on several field visits to various US customs departments, in a bid to share knowledge and improve relations between the countries.