Abu Dhabi Customs and Brazil’s Tax Authority Initiate Pilot of Trusted Digital Trade Corridor

UAE, 25 November, 2024 : Abu Dhabi Customs, in collaboration with Brazil’s Tax Authority, has launched the pilot phase of the Trusted Digital Trade Corridor project, the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East. The announcement was made during the 2024 WCO Technology Conference & Exhibition, held in Rio de Janeiro from November 12 to 14.

The project aims to enhance trade efficiency by leveraging technology to simplify customs procedures, improve data security, and reduce transaction times. This partnership reflects a shared vision to modernize cross-border trade operations.

Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General of Abu Dhabi Customs, held discussions with Claudia Regina Thomaz, Undersecretary of Customs Administration in Brazil, to strengthen bilateral trade cooperation. He also met with Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), to discuss digital transformation in customs and global supply chain resilience.

The WCO Secretary General commended Abu Dhabi Customs for its leadership in digital innovation and pledged support for the Trusted Digital Trade Corridor initiative.

The conference, themed “Digital Frontiers: Customs Embracing Innovation,” hosted over 1,200 participants from 95 countries, exploring advanced solutions in trade facilitation and border security. Abu Dhabi Customs contributed to key sessions on the role of technology in land transport and blockchain's transformative impact on customs operations.