Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi Customs and Competere will collaborate on deploying advanced technologies and future-oriented economic models to make the customs ecosystem smarter, more agile, and highly efficient. The partnership further underscores Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a leading global trade hub through digital transformation and strategic alliances.
H. E. Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General of Abu Dhabi Customs, signed on behalf of his organisation, while Shanker Singham, CEO of Competere Group, signed for the consultancy. Their signing was overseen by H. E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and H. E. Mansoor Abulhoul, UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Al Mansoori said the agreement aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision, stressing that trade facilitation and digital transformation are “fundamental pillars” of that vision. He added that working with private sector partners enables the adoption of global best practices and the development of more reliable and competitive trade systems. Singham described the collaboration as an opportunity to design “next-generation trade and regulatory models” that can unlock new economic opportunities globally.
The agreement follows a pattern of Abu Dhabi Customs pursuing multiple technological and partnership initiatives. Notably, it recently signed a cooperation deal with Maersk Global Trade & Customs Consulting aimed at reinforcing supply chain resilience, border management, and cross-border compliance systems. That alliance seeks to contribute to what Abu Dhabi terms an “Invisible Customs” ecosystem — one characterised by seamless, data-driven trade operations.
Observers view the Competere partnership as complementary to Abu Dhabi’s broader push for a digitally enabled customs framework. UAE authorities have, over time, emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in crafting efficient regulatory regimes that support economic diversification and integration with global markets.
Analysts note that Competere brings distinct strengths in trade policy, regulatory design, and economic advisory, while Abu Dhabi Customs brings authority, jurisdiction, and access to infrastructure and trade corridors. The challenge will lie in translating policy frameworks into operational systems that deliver measurable improvements in processing times, risk assessment, and compliance costs.
One factor under scrutiny is how the agreement will integrate with existing customs modernisation projects. Abu Dhabi has already initiated steps to leverage AI, blockchain, and data analytics in trade processing and risk management. The extent to which Competere’s involvement accelerates or complements those efforts—or leads to the adoption of new models—is likely to determine its real impact.
Another consideration is alignment with regional and international trade regimes. As UAE and Gulf trade regulations evolve, Abu Dhabi Customs will need to ensure interoperability with GCC norms, World Trade Organization standards, and bilateral trade agreements. Given Competere’s international exposure, the partnership may facilitate benchmarking and alignment across jurisdictions.
In dialogue with trade associations and logistics operators, officials have emphasised the need for confidence and predictability in rules, especially for small and medium enterprises navigating border procedures. Should the agreement yield clearer regulatory pathways, lower frictions, and transparency, it could improve the trade environment for SMEs as well as large multinationals.
The agreement may also encourage further collaborative ventures. Abu Dhabi Customs has recently engaged with technology firms like Altana Technologies to explore AI-driven supply chain visibility. That suggests the Competere deal is one of several simultaneous arms in Abu Dhabi’s push to modernise its trade and logistics infrastructure.
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