The analysis conducted by the statistics department at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), has revealed a substantial increase in the value and weight of goods transacted through the Land Transport Custom Center in Dubai. The Center recorded a 14 per cent increase in the weight of transacted goods during the first quarter of 2005, compared to the same period last year. Further, the total value of these goods amounted to nearly AED 1 billion, which is an eight per cent increase over last year.
Land transportation is the most widely used means for transporting goods between the UAE and GCC countries and to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) comprised the bulk of transacted goods. The surge in the value and weight of goods transported this year is a result of increased manufacturing and trading activity in Dubai.
The increase in goods transacted through the Land Transport Custom Center, was achieved despite a 16.8 per cent decrease in the number of trucks that operated through the Center this year. In the first quarter of last year, 7818 trucks operated, but only 6504 trucks operated in the same time period in 2005. This decrease is a result of new specifications introduced, with regard to size and type of trucks used.
The total number of completed transactions also decreased from 22,561 in the first quarter of 2004 to 17,440 in the first quarter of this year. These transactions included, issuing of shipping permits, inspection reports and insurance related transactions.
The Land Transport Custom Center issues 5000 shipping permits annually, which include permission to transfer goods to Gulf and non-Gulf countries and licenses to re-export trucks with goods and vehicles. In the first quarter of 2005, the Jebel Ali Customs Center issued 1,389 permits to transport goods by land and this figure is constantly on the rise, as a result of the major expansion in trading and manufacturing activity in Jebel Ali. Dubai Customs is committed to continuously develop its range of services and facilities to cope with the growing business operations.
The Land Transport Custom Center also includes the Jebel Ali Customs Center, which facilitates smooth and efficient transportation of goods between Jebel Ali Free Zone and various locations around the world.
