UAE is US's Largest Arab, Mid East Trading Partner for USA

U.S. Ambassador to the UAE Michael H. Corbin, said the UAE is the United States' largest trading partner among Arab and Middle East countries. "In fact, the USA's exports to UAE reached US$22.5 billion in 2012, a 40 percent increase from 2011. Trade between the USA and UAE is even larger than our export relationship with India." In remarks during a visit to the Abu Dhabi Customs Institute where he met with Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Finance (DoF), the US ambassador noted that the UAE is becoming a focused hub for trade, tourism and other important economical activities, bearing in mind that major international airlines that have taken the UAE as a base for their businesses, in addition to it having one of the largest ports, the Khalifa Port. "Thus, there is a need to have this continuous cooperation with the UAE, the leader in the development of trade infrastructure, in order to enhance the exchange of knowledge and information."

"This visit is an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between the two countries since the UAE has become home to many important projects such as the Khalifa port, Abu Dhabi International Airport, Dubai International Airport and the new Etihad Railway network', he further said. The visit is in line with efforts to enhance cooperation between the UAE and the USA. The General Manager of Abu Dhabi Customs, Saeed Ahmed Al Muhairi, and the Manager of Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Dr. Tayeb Kamali, were present at the meeting. The visit included a tour around the Institute where the US Ambassador and his delegation was briefed on the activities of the Institute, in addition to having a chance to meet students and instructors. Corbin also looked over academic curriculums and the latest technologies used to train students.

DoF Chairman and the US Ambassador then sat through a presentation on the relationship and cooperation between the two parties in terms of shared experiences, courses and workshops that have been conducted in both the UAE and USA by foreign experts. In addition, a documentary was presented on the evolution of Abu Dhabi Customs since its inception and its advanced technologies. Saeed Ahmed Al Muhairi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Customs, said that the visit is a reinforcement of the good relations between the General Administration of Customs and the US. It comes in line with the strong bilateral relationship and the mutual benefits that join the two entities in customs work and security.

Al Muhairi emphasized Hamad Al Suwaidi's commitment in supporting Abu Dhabi Customs to be at the level where it is today and by presenting it as a role model in all aspects Ambassador Corbin also commented on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Abu Dhabi Customs and the USA Immigration and Customs Enforcement in May 2010: "The MoU signed between the two parties and supported by DoF's Chairman Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi, is an important agreement and is a testament the partnership and cooperation between our countries. I am also pleased to hear that Georgia Institute of Technology will provide training to Abu Dhabi Customs in the near future." In May 2010, the General Administration of Customs in Abu Dhabi signed two memorandums of understanding with the Customs Authority and the American Immigration in Washington. The latter enabled the exchange of information in order to support investigations and provide the customs authority as well as the American Immigration technical support to establish the Abu Dhabi Customs Institute.

He pointed out that this visit reinforced the vision of the future this Institute holds and its outstanding leadership. By the end of the visit, Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi expressed his appreciation and honor in receiving the USA Ambassador accompanied by his delegation at the Institute. Ambassador Corbin also wished for a stronger relationship and benefit for the two countries. In addition, He took time to praise the management team of the General Administration of Customs and the General Directorate of Customs, Saeed Ahmed Al Muhairi on the evolution that the Abu Dhabi Customs has witnessed this period.