Dubai Customs has implemented a series of new policies designed to boost the UAE's foreign trade after the country signed several comprehensive economic partnership agreements with global and regional partners.
The policies, which are part of the Cepa deals, define the scope, obligations, rules of origin, preferential treatment and general provisions related to goods trade, Dubai Customs said on Sunday.
Specialised customs centres and departments are responsible for enforcing these policies, ensuring adherence to the terms and provisions of the agreements, it said.
“Dubai Customs is actively engaged in providing a wide range of commercial and customs services to traders and investors from countries that have established comprehensive economic partnership agreements with the UAE,” it added.
The UAE has signed a series of Cepa deals with countries including India, Israel, Indonesia and Turkey.
The benefits of these agreements include enhanced market access, lower or eliminated tariff rules, simpler customs procedures, clear and transparent rules, and rule-based competition.
The UAE, which aims to boost trade and economic relations with countries around the globe, is working towards signing 26 Cepas as it seeks to attract more investment and diversify its economy.
Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and India reached $50.5 billion, a 5.8 per cent annual increase, in the first 12 months after the two countries signed their Cepa deal.
As part of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the emirate plans to become among the top three cities by economic strength by 2033 and within the top four global financial centres.
One of its goals under the D33 is to boost its foreign trade from Dh14.2 trillion to Dh25.6 trillion for goods and services in the next decade.
Business activity in Dubai's non-oil private sector economy continued to improve at a “robust pace” in May, boosted by stronger output and employment.
The emirate's seasonally adjusted S&P Global purchasing managers' index reading softened slightly to 55.3 in May, from 56.4 in April, but remained well above the neutral 50-mark which separates expansion from contraction.
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
15. West Ham 39
16. Brighton 37
17. Watford 36
18. Bournemouth 36
19. Aston Villa 32
20. Norwich City 29
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
