Dubai Customs announced its participation in a symposium on container security in international maritime traffic, hosted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, that was held recently in Washington D.C, United States. The symposium, attended by customs officials from various countries discussed international container security strategy to enhance and harmonise security without impairing the commercial viability of international maritime traffic.
Dubai Customs delegation to the U.S was led by Ahmad Butti Ahmad, Director General, Dubai Customs, who shared his experience and expertise on the implementation of the Container Security Initiative (CSI) at Dubai Ports and the future of container security.
The Government of Dubai has supported all the steps taken by Dubai Customs to implement CSI at its facilities in Jebel Ali and Port Rashid. Dubai Customs signed a principle of declaration on December 1st 2004 with the US Customs and Border Protection Agency to ensure that all cargo destined for the US is specially screened; making Dubai Customs the first organization in the Middle East region to enter into such an agreement.
Ahmad said that in support of the implementation of the CSI, Dubai Customs allocated an office in Dubai to accommodate the US CSI officers and provided all necessary facilities to make their job easier and more efficient.
Ahmad asked the audience if it was enough to focus only on maritime container security. “In order to completely secure shipping processes, the CSI initiative should be extended to cover all means of goods transport and all parties concerned should cooperate with each other to ensure a secure international trading environment”.
He also focused on the relation between CSI and World Customs Organisation (WCO) initiatives.
“Ever since the launch of the CSI, we at Dubai Customs have been keen to know its content, and identify the driving force behind its applications. We need to take into consideration the implication of the initiatives and its effectiveness towards securing international trade. In this regard, we have taken a step forward by working closely with the U.S Customs and Border Protection Agency. We are confident that this initiative will enable us to effectively deal with security issues and we understand that there is a need for nation states across the political and ideological divide to work together to address today’s security threats.”
“Dubai Customs shares the international community's consensus that global security is best guaranteed by securing worldwide trade and monitoring its channels. We have therefore taken a positive stance towards the CSI and believe that it will help lead us towards our common goal of a safe and legitimate international trade environment,” added Ahmad.
Stressing on the importance of the private sector in guaranteeing a secure international trade environment, Ahmad said, “The private sector needs to be included as a strategic partner in the global economic scenario. There are already precedents in improved border control through public and private engagement and there are protocols in place to aid that effort. International harmonization cannot be achieved without the active engagement of the private sector.”
Ahmad Butti’s speech was well appreciated by the audience as he presented various developments and issues pertaining to CSI and more importantly, posed questions for the participants to ponder.
The CSI was launched in January, 2002 and has been accepted globally as a revolutionary initiative to secure maritime cargo shipments against terrorist threats.
