Ministry of Economy organizes workshop on mechanisms to combat harmful practices of global trade

He Ministry of Economyin collaboration with the Office of the Technical Secretariat for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade of the GCC, held a workshop on October 11 and 12 to discuss mechanisms to combat harmful practices in international trade and its impact on the industry. Gulf.

The workshop was held in the presence of Juma Mohammed Al Kait, Deputy Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy for Foreign Trade Affairs; Alia Al Marmoom, Executive Director of Customs Affairs at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security; and Faisal bin Abdullah Al Mehideb, director general of the Office of the Technical Secretariat to Combat Harmful Practices in International Trade.

The workshop was also attended by other officials from the Technical Secretariat, the General Customs Administration and customs administrations from several emirates in the country.

Al Kait He emphasized that addressing harmful practices in international trade is essential given their serious consequences on the growth of national economies, the prosperity of domestic industries vis-à-vis imported products, as well as their adverse impact on fair competition in domestic markets. Ultimately, this will create illegal monopolistic practices for imported product at the expense of domestic products, undermining the pillars of the Gulf industry.

He explained that the UAE has been working on developing a sophisticated and effective system in recent years to counter such practices within the framework of joint GCC efforts. This contributes to promoting fair competition within national industries at local, regional and global levels, ensuring their sustainable growth and maximizing their contribution to the growth of GCC economies.

He also highlighted the key measures adopted by the Ministry of Economy to support this ambitious vision, in particular the establishment of the Advisory Committee to Combat Practices Harmful to International Trade. This is a unique approach to promote preventive measures against such practices in accordance with global best practices and in line with relevant WTO rules.

The workshop addressed a number of important and supportive topics related to the GCC’s efforts to address harmful global trade practices, including strengthening the strategic role of customs administrations by developing flexible solutions.

The workshop also discussed the legislative frameworks in place in GCC countries to counter these practices. He highlighted the role of the Technical Secretariat in supporting these efforts, the procedures for reporting and investigating cases of dumping, support and increase of imports, and the mechanisms for implementing rates and decisions issued by the ministerial committees in this regard.

Al Kait He noted that cases of harmful international trade practices, such as dumping, support and increased imports, is a growing global concern that requires the adoption of innovative and flexible strategies that allow the creation of legal and technical frameworks that provide tools, support and training. for all interested parties. This will help develop national competencies capable of effectively combating these harmful practices.

Furthermore, he highlighted the key role played by the Technical Secretariat in protecting GCC industries from such practices with the support of the Unified Anti-Dumping Law and the Countervailing and Preventive Measures of GCC countries and their Executive Regulations. This is achieved by enforcing the provisions of the Act and its Executive Regulations by collecting information, conducting investigations and advising GCC industries in this regard.

He further noted that the workshop provides an important opportunity to raise awareness on actions to combat harmful international trade practices among stakeholders; strengthen links between economic and industrial professionals in the GCC to create innovative mechanisms to address such practices; and help achieve sustainable development efforts.

The Deputy Undersecretary praised the efforts made by the UAE Customs sector, through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Securityat national and GCC levels, including the application of anti-dumping duties and support and prevention decisions.

The UAE continues its efforts to combat all types of harmful trade practices such as dumping, supporting and increasing imports to protect domestic industries, exports and products from their adverse impact. A total of eight resolutions were implemented in the first half of 2023, including six on anti-dumping and two on preventive measures.

News source: Emirates News Agency