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Dubai records Dh65.7m trade of gloves and masks in Q1 2020

The total trade of masks and medical gloves in Dubai in the first quarter of 2020 reached Dh65.7 million, new data by Dubai Customs has shown.
To meet the rising demand on masks and medical gloves, Dubai Customs took further steps and procedures to facilitate the trade of these needs against the outbreak of Covid-19. Dubai's external trade of masks in Q1 2020 reached Dh60.5 million, whereas trade during the whole of 2019 reached around Dh63.5 million, highlighting a surge in demand. Imports of masks in the last three months accounted for around Dh40 million; exports reached Dh3.4 million and re-exports hit Dh17 million.
Dubai's external trade in gloves during Q1 2020 yielded Dh5.2 million with imports making the biggest share at Dh4.67 million. All sea, land and air customs centers at Dubai Customs are working diligently with quick inspection and clearance procedures to help meet the growing demand in the local market. The move is essential to the efforts in curbing the spread of the coronavirus and mitigating its implications.
"Dubai Customs works at a faster pace in support of the national efforts against the outbreak of the coronavirus relying on their distinguished customs experience and qualified inspectors and employees," said Nasim Al Muhairi, senior manager of Statistics Department at Dubai Customs.
"Making sure medical supplies are available and everybody has access to them is essential. We have the human and technological potential to facilitate trade and secure the borders, aided by our dedicated employees who excel even in hard times. With this in mind, we have equipped the customs centers with the best equipment and taken the highest precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. All inspectors and employees wear protective gear and keep physical distancing, and all customs centers and inspection yards have been sanitized," he said.
- business@khaleejtimes.com