The 2nd Regional Forum on Best Practices in Trans-shipment Cargo concluded here today. It witnessed extensive attendance by representatives of governments, shipping and customs from the GCC, Middle East and North Africa.

The forum was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation's Executive Office on Commodities and Materials Subject to Import and Export Control, in partnership with the US State Department and its accredited mission in the UAE.

The two-day forum was held as part of the joint cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the United States to share expertise and best practices on the goods and materials subject to import and export control.

The opening day saw speeches made by Shihab Ahmed Al Fahim, Assistant Under-secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Protocol Affairs, and Paul Malik, the US Consul General.

Participants stressed the importance of stepping up international cooperation for non-proliferation of nuclear weapons through exchange of intelligence reports and improving control and search operations.

In 2007, the UAE government enacted a stringent export control law that includes stiff penalties for parties involved in the diversion of controlled shipments. The Federal Law Number 13 of 2007, addresses the commodities subject to import and export control procedures.

Source :WAM