Abu Dhabi Customs And Indian Delegation Explore Cooperation For Enhanced Bilateral Trade

The General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs recently organised a workshop with an Indian delegation led by Arti Agarwal Srinivas. She is the Director-General of Systems and Data Management at India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. The event aimed to explore ways to strengthen bilateral trade, improve supply chain efficiency, and advance the digital trade corridor between the two countries.

During their visit, the Indian delegation met with Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Customs. They discussed opportunities to enhance customs cooperation and accelerate digital transformation in customs operations. This would help improve procedural efficiency and ensure smooth movement of goods across borders.

The workshop highlighted Abu Dhabi Customs' advanced digital ecosystem, showcasing its technical capabilities in managing customs operations. This includes a smart infrastructure offering 24/7 services, supported by blockchain technologies and government service platforms like TAMM and ATLP. These systems aim to streamline customs procedures and facilitate international trade.

A key focus was on system integration between both countries, mechanisms for data exchange, and simplified customs processes. These discussions were part of the MAITRI initiative, a middleware platform designed to connect various national systems. It aims to create a secure digital trade corridor that enhances transparency, compliance, and reduces transaction time and costs.

The MAITRI initiative supports governmental bodies, customs authorities, importers, exporters, and logistics providers. Its goal is to establish a fully digital trade corridor that enables faster customs clearance and improved trade fluidity between India and the UAE. This aligns with Abu Dhabi Customs’ strategic efforts to develop innovative digital solutions supporting global trade.

This collaboration reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to strengthening partnerships with international customs administrations. By developing advanced digital solutions, they aim to support global trade in line with Abu Dhabi's economic development goals and those of the UAE.

The workshop served as a platform for both nations to discuss enhancing their customs cooperation further. By focusing on digital transformation within the sector, they aim to ensure efficient procedures that facilitate seamless cross-border trade.

With inputs from WAM