Kyoto customs deal gets Cabinet nod

Abu Dhabi: The Cabinet on Sunday approved the ratification of the Kyoto Convention on smoother customs procedures floated by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), bringing the number of signatory countries to 64.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace.

The Kyoto Convention first came into force in 1974 but was revised and updated in 1999 to ensure that it conforms to current demands of governments and international trade.

The revised convention was adopted by the WCO as a blueprint for modern and efficient Customs procedures in the 21st century to provide international commerce with the predictability and efficiency that modern trade requires. It is recognised as an international standard framework and used as a benchmark for the global customs community.

Marriage fund

The Council of Ministers also discussed a number of issues of national interest and relating to the well-being of the Emirati populace and took appropriate decisions.

It reviewed the recommendations of the Federal National Council with regard to the trend of increasing prices, and the policies of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

The Cabinet approved the Marriage Fund's closing accounts for the fiscal year ending in December 31, 2008. It also approved the closing accounts of Emirates Marketing and Promotions (EMP) for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2008.

Lieutenant-General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, were present.