UAE Forms Import-Export Control Committee

The Emirates News Agency reported today that the United Arab Emirates Government approved the formation a "committee on the commodities subject to import-export control" to "cooperate and coordinate with the relevant authorities on the regulations relating to import and export, to study proposals by such authorities on prohibiting, excluding or restricting any commodity."

The Committee will also be responsible for preparing "a set of proposals on the procedure, provisions and fees for import or export licenses for such commodities."

In August 2007, the UAE enacted a new import and export control law. The law, known as Federal Law No. 13 of 2007, authorizes the UAE "to ban or restrict the importing, exporting or re-exporting of any commodity for reasons related to safety, public health, environment, natural resources, national security or for reasons related to the UAE's foreign policy."

During the past few years the U.S. has placed pressure on the UAE to strengthen its export control regime and there have been efforts underway in Congress to include the UAE as a "Destination of Possible Diversion Concern."