Dubai-France bilateral trade amounted to Dh10.6 billion in H1 2014, marking a 15% growth

Dubai (WAM): Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), and Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, received the recently-appointed French Consul-General in Dubai, Majdi Abed, at DC main office. Sultan bin Sulayem praised the solid relations linking the United Arab Emirates and the French State and people. He said, "We enjoy exceptional economic and cultural ties with France, as it is one of Dubai’s leading trading partners in Europe. Dubai-France bilateral trade amounted to Dh10.6 billion in the first half of 2014, marking a 15% growth compared to the first half of 2013. In recent years, Dubai-France bilateral trade remarkably surged. It went up from Dh16.3 billion in 2011 to Dh18 billion in 2012, then to Dh19 billion in 2013." Dubai is home to many French businesses and investments. In this regard, bin Sulayem stressed that PCFC is committed to providing an environment conducive to international investments. Ahmed Musabih emphasised that Dubai Customs strive to boost bilateral trade with France by delivering exceptional services that best respond to the expectations of French traders and investors, as well as local and international companies. He encouraged French companies to come forward and voice any concerns that they may have regarding customs processes, through Irtibaat, an initiative launched by DC to meet regularly and communicate with businesses from the same country in the presence and participation of diplomatic and consular missions. Through Irtibaat, DC aims to keep abreast of all future action plans and enterprises and to allow the business community to present suggestions for developing customs processes and eliminating business barriers, for the ultimate goal of making Dubai the leading destination for business and finance globally. Musabih called for further cooperation between Dubai and France, including experiences’ exchange and joint training of customs staff. bin Sulayem and Mahboob wished the French Consul-General in Dubai a pleasant stay in the U.A.E. and the best of luck in his newly-assigned duties. They expressed their trust that his long expertise in diplomatic and consular work will certainly reflect on developing aspects of economic and commercial cooperation between Dubai and France. - Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395271781712.html