DUBAI, 16th March, 2017 (WAM) -- Customs World, a subsidiary of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) in Dubai, will provide technical assistance and expert advice to the General Directorate of Customs of the Dominican Republic to aid it in its reform and modernisation process.

Both parties have signed a co-operation agreement, to prepare a blueprint to build the capacity of Dominican Customs through enhanced customs procedures and clearance systems.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, by Faisal Eissa Lutfi, CEO of Customs World, and Enrique Ramirez Paniagua, Director-General of the Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Customs.

Following the agreement, a team of four experts from Dubai Customs will stay there on a one-month mission to conduct a gap analysis and needs assessment on the Dominican Customs’ existing systems and procedures. Based on their conclusions, a set of recommendations for customised reform implementation as part of the agreement’s preliminary phase execution will be presented by Customs World to the Dominican counterparts.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman, CEO and Chairman of PCFC, said, "The signing of this agreement comes as part of the constructive co-operation between PCFC and the Dominican Republic, which commenced back in 2006 with the development of DP World Caucedo Terminal near Santo Domingo, the capital of Dominican Republic and Caucedo Logistics Centre, a joint venture between DP World and Caucedo Development Corporation.

"This co-operation agreement, as well as the integrated development projects already being implemented by PCFC, will bolster the Dominican Republic’s capacities and enhance its role as a regional trading and business hub in the Caribbean and the Americas. Such co-operation will also serve the economic development in the region, promote inter-Caribbean trade and facilitate access to other global markets," he added.

Bin Sulayem praised the positive collaboration of Dominican authorities with PCFC, on the directions of President Danilo Medina Sanchez. "At PCFC, we are excited to contribute to the Dominican Republic’s efforts to become a leading trading hub in the Caribbean by helping it build capacity in ports, trade and customs sectors, an area where Dubai is a world-class model. This follows the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to export Dubai’s home-grown, first-rate experience to those friendly countries that seek to boost their economic and commercial performance," he said.

WAM/Aamir