Inaugurating a seminar on anti-counterfeiting organised by Dubai Customs in joint collaboration with the Italian Business Council

Dubai Customs, in association with the Italian Business Council, organised a seminar themed “Consolidated Efforts in Combating Counterfeiting”. The seminar, held under the patronage of the Italy Embassy in the UAE, was attended by the European Union Delegation to the UAE, French Business Council, Finn Business Council, Greek Business Council, in addition to heads of major European businesses, and representatives of ministries and government departments. 

His Excellency Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, delivered a welcome address at the seminar’s opening session. He said: “IPR protection has acquired even more importance in the UAE, in light of the country’s ongoing approach to developing the national economy by harnessing the power of creativity to drive growth and innovation across all government and business sectors. The UAE’s overall economic development is based on creative ideas and innovations, which assigns IP protection and enforcement bodies a vital role in safeguarding innovators’ creations against the growing threat of counterfeiting and piracy.”

He added that “The National Innovation Strategy launched by UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has come to form a new incentive for us to consolidate efforts for the purpose of advancing customs processes and economic performance, and preserving the rights of innovators and trademark owners.”

 Dubai Customs, he said, being a law enforcement body and a main pillar for the UAE economy and the flow of legitimate cross-border trade, is fully committed to combating counterfeiting and preserving the rights of producers. Our inspectors are keeping a vigilant eye on all smuggling attempts through land, air and sea ports in Dubai. We also carry out public awareness campaigns and partner with competent local, regional and international authorities, as well as international businesses.

Expressing DC’s commitment to protecting products against counterfeiting, the Director of Dubai Customs remarked, “We extend our hands to Italian businesses to join us in the fight against IP infringements, piracy and counterfeiting. I would like to highlight our recognition of the immaculate quality of Italian products that gained the trust of consumers around the world and, of course, the Emirati consumers.”

He further noted, “In line with the prudent vision of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his brother the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, towards  enhancing the local investment environment to boost the UAE’s competitiveness, and support its progression towards achieving top ranks in the Global Competitiveness Index; the United Arab Emirates impressively scored the 12th rank in the Global Competitiveness Report issued by World Economic Forum (WEF) 2014.” According to this report, the UAE was also named the most competitive nation in the MENA region and third globally in efficiency of customs procedures. 

“Our IPR efforts are yearly crowned with organizing Dubai Customs’ Intellectual Property Award for schools and universities. We extend all forms of support to school and university students with the aim of spreading awareness of the dangers of counterfeiting and the importance of preserving the rights of producers and creators. Winners are honoured in Dubai Customs’ celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day, observed on the 26th of April every year,” he continued.

 Since the Award was launched in 2007, 111 schools from all over the UAE joined the competition and more than 100,000 students benefited from Dubai Customs’ IPR awareness and educational campaigns, he added.

On the other hand, Mr. Yousuf Ozair, Director of IPR Department at DC, presented measures taken by Dubai Customs to fight counterfeiting and piracy. He said: “IPR protection has an important role in our daily lives. It certainly entails lofty meanings of respect to the others’ ideas and appreciation of their own creations. We at Dubai Customs seek to achieve this goal for which our IPR Department was established to lead and spearhead the Customs’ efforts aiming to firmly combat all forms of trademark infringements and protect intellectual property rights in all areas.”

 “Together for Better Protection” is the slogan held by DC’s IPR department in a landmark initiative to highlight its services and its strategy as a service entity whose mission is to enforce IPR rules and regulations, he noted.

Mr. Ozair added: “The IPR Department at Dubai Customs underlines the importance of partnering with diplomatic corps and foreign business councils to fight counterfeiting and piracy. Thus, we continuously boost our cooperation with the Italian diplomatic corps and Business Council. Since 2008, 125 Italian trademarks have been registered with Dubai Customs, 304 Italian trademark seizures conducted, and 94 Italian trademark complaints lodged to Dubai Customs.”