DUBAI // The EU has threatened to withdraw special trade privileges from the UAE unless the country reduces the number of goods sent to Europe with fraudulent paperwork.
As an emerging market, the UAE is a beneficiary of tariff-free imports under the EU's General System of Preferences (GSP). That offers Emirati businesses an easier path into the European markets, as exported goods can be exempt from tariffs for up to 60 per cent of the items' value.
But EU officials say the UAE and Malaysia have been identified as significant sources of improperly exported goods, raising concerns about organised crime networks, revenue losses and the country's reputation as a reliable trading partner.
Sultan al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, said at the conference that the issue had a direct impact on trade, and that customs officials had a big role to play in reducing violations.
"Being in the GSP is an opportunity for UAE business to enter a large market with the advantage of reduced taxation," Mr al Mansouri said. "We must prevent fraudulent products from being traded under the banner of the UAE."
David Murphy, the head of the control department at the European Anti-Fraud Office, said the UAE was not taking firm enough action to prevent illegal trade passing through its ports.
Speaking at an export trade conference in Dubai this week, he said: "If the UAE cannot implement adequate procedures for post verification of trade consignments entering the EU by the end of this year the inevitable consequence will be the withdrawal of special preferences. The GSP is a preferential scheme intended to provide an incentive for industry and foreign investment in emerging markets, such as the UAE.
"However, this system is continually under attack by fraudsters and organised criminal groups. All agencies must work together to ensure these attacks are repelled."
The value of non-oil exports to the EU for goods manufactured or assembled in the UAE was Dh2.1 billion (US$572 million) in 2007, according to the latest available Ministry of Economy figures. The value of goods re-exported, or routed through the UAE, to the EU was Dh7.3bn.
The EU delegation met Ministry of Economy officials to devise better methods of fighting trade fraud.
Although the EU anti-fraud delegation considered the procedures and practices of the Ministry of Economy and customs department adequate, information sharing was cited as among its concerns.
The delegation requested that the UAE improve information sharing among the Ministry of Economy, customs, chambers of commerce and free zones in the Emirates.
Every consignment arriving at an EU customs point must have a certificate of origin, which determines the tariff level and import restrictions on that item. However, according to the European Anti-fraud Office, manufacturers and exporters from countries such as China have been dodging tariffs by routing goods through the UAE and claiming it as the country of origin.
The anti-fraud office, which deals with large and complex trade cases, was unable to provide figures on how much fraudulent trade it believed was passing through the UAE to Europe. Smaller cases are dealt with customs officials in individual countries.
Bridgetta Erdmann, an officer at the European anti-fraud office, said strong enforcement would act as a deterrent.
"Communication between agencies is critical in monitoring irregular trade flows and tracking specific products that have been identified as a problem," she said.
tbrooks@thenational.ae
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
Seven%20Winters%20in%20Tehran
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SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Company%20profile
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Company%20profile%20
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
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UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJustine%20Triet%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESandra%20Huller%2C%20Swann%20Arlaud%2C%20Milo%20Machado-Graner%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars