Goods and special items of people with special needs have been exempted from custom duties at the level of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States (GCC), according to special initiative from Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The kind gesture aims to ease burden on this category, and in appreciation to the role of people with special needs in comprehensive development. Sheikh Mohammed has instructed the Dubai Customs to implement the exemption procedures in the framework of joint GCC work.

The Dubai Customs commenced the necessary procedures and submitted the initiative to the General Secretariat of the GCC through the Federal Customs Authority.

The items of people with special needs are currently charged by 5 per cent in accordance with the unified GCC Custom Law.

Meanwhile, the Committee of Custom Union of the GCC welcomed this humanitarian initiative of Sheikh Mohammed, describing it "as a civilized humanitarian gesture from Sheikh Mohammed towards the handicaps".

The Committee approved in its recent meeting held at the Secretariat General of the GCC in Riyadh from April 9- 11, 2011, the exemption of goods and items of the people with special needs.

Among the materials and goods covered by the exemption, are vehicles and bikes designed specifically for people with special needs and with disabilities, as well as the hearing aids and electronic devices for the blind and elderly.

The Director General of Dubai Customs and CEO of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Ahmed Butti Ahmed, lauded the initiative of the Vice President.

"It is a valuable gift from Sheikh Mohammed to this category", he added, citing Sheikh Mohammed's humanitarian record locally, regionally and internationally.

WAM/AB