Under the agreement unveiled on the sidelines of the trade-tech event, FTA and Abu Dhabi Customs will co-develop procedures enabled by electronic linking channels, aiming to reduce duplication, expedite decision-making, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms. The partnership covers key areas including tax return submission, payment of tax and customs dues, data-exchange for inspections, and the coordination of joint audits.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director-General of the FTA, said the integration aligns with long-term ambitions to attract talent, simplify government transactions and raise customer satisfaction. He emphasised that the agreement “establishes a clear and robust framework for collaboration … contributing to our ongoing plans to provide comprehensive digital services through innovative models.” He added that the move reflects wider leadership directives to streamline procedures and governance.
Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Customs, framed the partnership as a key pillar of the emirate’s “Zero Government Bureaucracy” goal. He described the new arrangement as a step toward “facilitating operations, enhancing tax and customs compliance, increasing operational efficiency and providing proactive services.” He also stressed that Abu Dhabi Customs would deploy advanced technologies and share best practices to support joint modules.
The cooperation is structured around several focus areas. First, both entities plan to coordinate investigations, reviews and inspection workflows by sharing operational data, reducing overlap in assessments and speeding up dispute resolution. Second, the deal includes joint awareness campaigns targeting investors and companies, with the aim of educating stakeholders on the new system’s workings and the obligations under UAE legislation. Third, there is provision for co-designing new services — including proactive, predictive government offerings — to address emerging business challenges related to trade, taxation and compliance.
This move dovetails with Abu Dhabi’s broader digital agenda. Earlier, Abu Dhabi Customs and the Emirates Executive Office for Control & Non-Proliferation had signed an MoU to create aligned technical systems for rapid data exchange and unified transaction processing. That arrangement was presented as part of the same “Zero Government Bureaucracy” vision.
On the international front, Abu Dhabi Customs has also engaged multiple partners to strengthen its digital customs capabilities. It inked a strategic agreement with Maersk Global Trade & Customs Consulting to co-design border-management innovations, resilient supply chains and a unified customs compliance framework. Together they will work to develop a “Trusted Digital Trade Corridor” and next-generation customs modernisation solutions.
Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi Customs entered into a Letter of Intent with Altana Technologies — an AI and blockchain supply chain provider — to explore cutting-edge systems for resilient, transparent trade networks. The aim is to bring data analytics, risk modelling and blockchain-enabled visibility into its operations.
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