Dubai and Germany team up to fortify gateways against illicit trade

Dubai: Dubai is enhancing its regulatory and inspection systems for dual-use goods. The Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), in partnership with Germany’s Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), organized a four-day training and awareness workshop titled “Export and Import Controls on Dual-Use Goods.”

The workshop, held from April 7 to 10, featured a distinguished group of international experts and included participation from several key Dubai government entities such as Dubai Customs, Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation, as well as professionals from the security industry.

Dual-use goods are items, software, and technologies that can serve both civil and military purposes. These items are heavily regulated because they can be classified for civilian use but may be repurposed for military applications or, in the worst cases, used for terrorism.

According to SIRA, this initiative demonstrates its commitment to fostering strategic local and international partnerships that enhance Dubai’s security and compliance infrastructure. It also highlights the role of SIRA’s Restricted Goods Department, which oversees the issuance of permits for hazardous materials and dual-use goods across the emirate.

Workshop objectives

The primary goal of the workshop was to build technical expertise and improve the professional capabilities of Dubai government personnel responsible for monitoring dual-use goods. This was achieved through practical simulations and interactive sessions. Participants were trained to apply international legal, technical, and administrative standards when evaluating permit applications and regulatory procedures.

Additionally, the workshop aimed to strengthen decision-making frameworks, promote institutional coordination, and align practices with international governance standards. The sessions were led by German specialists, including Werner Knapp (Head of Department, BAFA), Janis Brozowski (Project Manager, BAFA), Nikolai Karthaus (Licensing Expert, BAFA), and John Noble (Senior End-Use Evaluation Expert, United Kingdom).

SIRA stated that the workshop concluded with a comprehensive evaluation session that included participant feedback, key findings, and proposed action plans. Discussions focused on the importance of ongoing specialised training and expanding collaborative frameworks between SIRA and its international counterparts.