WAM Dubai, Apr 29th, 2012 (WAM)--Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Director of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Dubai Customs director General said that the department has managed to turn the different challenges and obstacles into investment opportunities.

"Dubai is considered a strategic hub for regional and international trade," he added.

This took place during Ahmed's reception of a high -level delegation from the European Parliament on Sunday 29 April 2012, headed by Dr. Angelika Niebler, member of the European Parliament with the presence of Sulaiman Hamed Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union.

Dubai Customs director General said:" Thanks to the strong relationships between the emirate and different countries, the sophisticated infrastructure, the numerous facilitations that Dubai offers to investors and businessmen and the secure and peaceful climate in the UAE in general, trade in Dubai has risen in terms of value and volume exceeding one trillion dirhams last year".

Dr. Angelika Niebler expressed her pleasure of meeting Ahmed and the department's executive directors. She said that cooperation between European union and the UAE is fruitful " the facilitations provided by the department to European Union play a key role in the advancement of this partnership" she explained.

Ahmed Butti Ahmed said : " Dubai is the 3rd largest city in the world in terms of the number of trademarks available in the city after London and New York. Dubai Customs does its best all the time to protect these trademarks through workshops intended to educate its inspectors and raising awareness through different campaigns that target different segments of society".

He confirmed the significance of relationships between Dubai and the European Union which should be further enhanced and supported. On the other hand, the visiting delegation expressed their gratitude and pleasure for the distinguished hospitality they received in the department. At the end of the meeting, the two parties exchanged gifts.

WAM/MN