The International Humanitarian City (IHC) Board of Directors, Chaired by HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today expressed their deep gratitude to Dubai Customs for its unwavering support and cooperation with IHC through facilitating customs transactions for IHC members, such as United Nations organisations and international humanitarian organisations. Dubai Customs has acknowledged these organisations as free zone corporations and exempted them from paying customs guarantees.

Shaima Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of IHC, presented HE Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Director General of Dubai Customs,with the IHC Shield and a Letter of Appreciation during anIHC delegation visit to Dubai Customs. The delegation met with His Excellency to reaffirm the importance of continued coordination and cooperation between the two sides.

HE Ahmed Butti welcomed the appreciation, explaining that the commitment of Dubai Customs to support IHC and its members is as per HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum directives, who said, “We provide humanitarian capital and are a major relief station for the poor; we do not hesitate to help and support the brother, the ill-fated friend or the needy, wherever they are.”

“Accrediting UN organisations and international humanitarian organisations as free zone corporations and exempting them from paying customs guaranteesmake it easier for theirrelief aids to reach different areas of the world through their warehouses in Dubai. By doing so, we contribute to enhancing Dubai’s long record of humanitarian initiatives all around the world,” said HE Ahmed Butti.

“In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and in keeping with unified and cooperative relations between UAE governmental departments, we are grateful to Dubai Customs for their generous cooperation and efforts that help make the job of our UN members and international humanitarian agencies easier, as they transport aid in and out of our country. With the ease and support given by Dubai Customs, we are able to help deliver much needed assistance to thousands of people in need,” said Ms. Al Zarooni.

The International Humanitarian City is a non-profit, independent free zone corporation mandated by the Government of Dubai to facilitate international humanitarian aid by supplying leading humanitarian actors with world-class logistics infrastructure, value-added services and administrative support, as well as providing a platform for UN, NPO and regional staff to strengthen aid responses.

For more information, visit ihc.ae