Baku, December 23 (AZERTAC). The United Arab Emirates, represented by the Federal Customs Authority, and the Republic of Azerbaijan, represented by the State Customs Committee, initialed the final version of the Agreement on the Co-operation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters. The Agreement was initialed by the two countries during the First Round of negotiations that took place on 19- 21 December 2010, by the delegation of Azerbaijan, headed by Mr. Shahin Bagirov, Head of Customs Control Department, the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in co-ordination with the Embassy of Azerbaijan in UAE. This agreement is scheduled to be prepared for the final signature after completing internal procedures of ratification by both sides.

"The agreement will contribute to exchange experiences and promote economic cooperation and facilitate the trade movement between the two countries, as well as protect the community from harmful business practices through the exchange of information about customs issues between the two countries" said Suoud Salem Al Agroobi, Director of International Relations, the Federal Customs Authority, Head of the UAE delegation.

He added that "The Federal Customs Authority succeeded in reaching the agreed draft of the Agreement in the First Round of negotiations, which began earlier this week and lasted for three days in Dubai", pointing out that "The Federal Customs Authority has organized field visits for the delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan for each of Abu Dhabi Customs and Dubai Customs to look at the best practices implemented in the field of Customs work in the UAE".

He continued by stating that "The Azerbaijani delegation was particularly impressed by the level of performance in the Custom Administrations of the UAE, the regulations followed, the speed of the release of goods, as well as the technological systems and legislation applied in the field of Customs work. Moreover, the delegation considered this Agreement on mutual assistance of great importance for the Republic of Azerbaijan on the grounds that the UAE is an important commercial gate to the Gulf region".

Mr. Al Agroobi said that the Republic of Azerbaijan is one of the trading partners of the UAE, noting that the value of trade between the two countries amounted to AED 582 million in 2009, and approximately AED 371 million by the end of September 2010. It was also noted that the Republic of Azerbaijan is one of the important markets for re-export from the UAE, as the value of goods and commodities that have been re-exported from the UAE amounted to AED 533 million in 2009, and nearly AED 297 million to the end of September 2010 to Azerbaijan.

These Agreements;he added , contribute to the reduction of customs violations that lead to a breach of economic, commercial, financial, and social interests of the UAE, as well as aiming at activating the procedures taken against such violations in collaboration between the two countries. These Agreements ensure the accurate calculation and collection of customs duties and other charges on imports of goods, and the implementation of the provisions on prohibition, restriction and control, in addition to creating the appropriate environment to facilitate and promote trade and economic relations, and the exchange of experiences between the parties.

The Director of the International Relations added that these Agreements contain a number of important items including the fight against violations that harm the security, economy and safety of the community, raising awareness in customs matters through the exchange of experiences and information through the establishment of joint training courses, and facilitate the passage of passengers and the flow of goods. In addition to highlighting the role of Customs as an important economic partner, and the importance of the exchange of information in a confidential manner to be used for lawful purposes.

These Agreements are in line with international, regional and local legislations, based on international regulations governing the work of Customs and agreements that the UAE partakes in such as the World Customs Organization, the GCC Unified Customs Law, and domestic legislation in force in UAE.