Dubai: Dubai Customs recently held a grand celebration for the 2023 World Intellectual Property Day, centred around the theme “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity.” The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs and CEO of Ports, Customs, as well as Free Zone Corporation.
Among the esteemed guests were other high-profile figures such as the CEO of the Planning and Development Department – Tarakhees, Engineer Abdullah Belhoul, and the Director General of Dubai Press Club, Dr. Metha Buhumaid. Additionally, representatives from different government entities and foreign diplomatic missions also attended the gala event, which aimed to underscore the significant role of women in driving innovation and creativity.
Mr. Musabih highlighted women’s critical role in driving progress across all domains and declared them essential co-creators and co-architects of progress. Dubai Customs recognized the excellent contributions made by women to the customs profession through the “Al-Thuraya Award.”
In 2022, the value of the non-oil foreign trade sector in the UAE surged by 17 percent and the number of travellers passing through the country’s airports topped 101 million. Dubai Customs is committed to keeping pace with this explosive growth by enhancing commercial, customs, and travel-related services and facilities.
Dubai Customs organized 44 awareness campaigns to educate the public on the risks and dangers of counterfeit goods. The oldest government department in the emirate has also registered 350 trademarks and 160 commercial agencies to further support the protection of intellectual property rights. During the first quarter of 2023, 91 trademarks and 86 commercial agencies were registered.
Dubai’s economic agenda, D33, aims to double Dubai’s foreign trade value for goods and services and add 400 new cities to its global trade map by 2033. Protecting intellectual property rights is one of the core foundations of enhancing the country’s competitiveness and attracting more trade.
Dubai Customs’ steadfast commitment to safeguarding intellectual property rights is praiseworthy, as their endeavors not only uphold market integrity but also advance environmental sustainability and educate the public on the perils of fake products.