World Chambers Federation

ICC WCF welcomes Abu Dhabi Chamber adhesion to International CO Accreditation Chain

  • 17 March 2016
ICC World Chambers

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation (WCF) welcomes the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the latest chamber to join the International Certificate of Origin (CO) Accreditation Chain.

The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed its affiliation agreement through the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, WCF’s authorized coordinating body on CO matters. Certificates of origin issued by the Abu Dhabi Chamber will now feature the ICC WCF International CO label, recognizing the chamber’s documentation services that conform to international rules and standards laid down in the ICC WCF International Certificates of Origin Protocol.

Other chambers in the United Arab Emirates are in the process of working with the Dubai Chamber in adhering to the International CO Accreditation.

Mohammed Al-Hameli, Deputy Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, signed the agreement with Atiq Jumaa Nasib, Senior Vice President of Commercial Services, Dubai Chamber and WCF’s International CO Council’s Regional Coordinator for the Middle East.

Mr Al-Hameli said: “Signing this agreement is in line with efforts of the Abu Dhabi Chamber to issue CO electronically and to give them an international character in order to be acknowledged by all the chambers of commerce represented within the ICC World Chambers Federation.”

Mr Al-Hameli added that issuing electronic COs, which are approved internationally, is part of an effort to provide the best services for investors, businessmen, companies and individuals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

“Internationally approved electronic certificates of origin are a leap forward and will be a model for advanced services that the chamber will provide in the near future,” said Mr Al-Hameli.

Atiq Jumaa Nasib said that the agreement reflects the active cooperation and partnership between the Abu Dhabi Chamber and Dubai Chamber, pointing out that the adhesion to international standards in issuing CO enhances the position of the business community in the country. He called on local and Gulf chambers of commerce to adopt these standards which would facilitate and encourage cooperation and improve their relationships with their counterparts in the WCF network.

“The Dubai Chamber plays a key role in expanding the international CO Chain through its membership and also by providing recommendations to the International CO Council,” Mr Nasib said.

One of the international trade facilitation support services operated by ICC WCF, the International CO Accreditation Chain, also recently welcomed Italian Chambers of Bologna, Genova, Lucca, Padova, Udine as well as the Stockholm Chamber to its international network.

To know more about the CO Accreditation chain and to see the full list of accredited members in the CO Chain, click here.