Abu Dhabi Customs, MoEI partner to streamline petroleum imports

ABU DHABI: The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and the General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs signed a service level agreement (SLA) to streamline approvals for imports of restricted hazardous petroleum materials through electronic integration and data exchange.

Signed on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2026), the agreement aims to improve customs efficiency and oversight.

The signing ceremony was attended by Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, and Obaid Musallam Al Ameri, Acting Director-General of Abu Dhabi Customs, alongside officials from both entities.

The agreement establishes a framework for exchanging information, data and services to support import approvals for restricted hazardous petroleum materials and facilitate customs clearance. Cooperation also covers the regulation and monitoring of restricted import, export and transit shipments, with the aim of simplifying procedures and facilitating trade in Abu Dhabi while maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

Al Olama said, "The agreement will strengthen coordination and improve the procedures of restricted petroleum materials import through digital information exchange.” He linked the cooperation to the Government Zero Bureaucracy Programme, highlighting efforts to simplify procedures and eliminate overlapping requirements while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

Obaid Al Ameri said the agreement reflects Abu Dhabi Customs’ commitment to government integration and a smart customs ecosystem that supports seamless trade and efficient supply chains.

He said it supported the UAE’s digital transformation and efforts to eliminate government bureaucracy and strengthen economic competitiveness, as well as Abu Dhabi’s vision for a diversified, knowledge- and innovation-based economy and its position as a global trade and logistics hub.

"This collaboration, coinciding with ADIPEC 2026, demonstrates the role of digital solutions and government partnerships in facilitating trade in the energy sector, supporting the continuity of energy supplies, and delivering integrated services that meet business needs. It also enhances the attractiveness of the investment environment and reinforces the UAE's position as a trusted partner in global trade and a leading energy hub," he added.

The agreement forms part of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure's ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation with government entities and enhance energy sector services through digital solutions and integrated procedures, supporting greater government efficiency and meeting the evolving needs of economic and commercial sectors.

Meanwhile last month the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), in cooperation with CCI France UAE, co-organised the UAE-France Energy Forum under the theme “Powering Tomorrow Together” at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

The forum brought together senior government officials, energy industry leaders, experts and stakeholders from both countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation and explore new opportunities in the energy sector.

The forum provided a platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge exchange and business engagement, building on the longstanding energy partnership between the UAE and France and a high-level UAE delegation’s visit to Paris in May 2025.

The forum examined the evolving global energy landscape and the need to balance decarbonisation with energy security, economic competitiveness, technological development and reliable energy supply. Discussions focused on areas where the UAE and France can leverage their complementary capabilities to support resilient and sustainable energy systems.

Engineer Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the MoEI, said the UAE and France share a commitment to developing secure, resilient, competitive and increasingly low-carbon energy systems.

He said the forum offered an opportunity to translate this commitment into practical cooperation by bringing together governments, industry leaders, investors and research institutions.

Al Olama highlighted opportunities for collaboration in renewable energy, electricity grids, energy storage, nuclear power, innovative technologies, oil and gas decarbonisation and strategic infrastructure to support economic growth and the energy transition.

Marie Audouard, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the UAE, said, “France stands ready to support the UAE in strengthening the resilience and strategic autonomy of its energy system. Together, we are building a more secure, resilient, and low-carbon energy future.”

The forum featured three high-level thematic sessions addressing key priorities across the energy sector.

The first session, “Powering Resilience: Renewables, Grids, Storage & Strategic Energy Infrastructure,” explored the development of resilient electricity systems capable of integrating growing volumes of renewable energy while meeting rising electricity demand. Discussions covered grid modernisation, energy storage, renewable integration and infrastructure investment, as well as the implications of economic and technological development for future electricity systems.

The second session, “Low-Carbon Solutions: Nuclear & Innovative Technologies Shaping Energy Sovereignty,” examined the role of nuclear energy and innovative low-carbon technologies in supporting energy security, decarbonisation and long-term energy resilience. Participants discussed the contribution of technology and industrial expertise to reliable low-carbon energy systems and explored opportunities for knowledge exchange and cooperation between UAE and French stakeholders.

The third session, “Oil & Gas: Carbon Footprint Reduction, CCS, Energy Security & the Future of Global Supply,” addressed the continued role of oil and gas in the global energy system and the transformation of the sector through emissions reduction, carbon capture and storage (CCS), operational efficiency, technology and innovation.

The session also considered the relationship between energy security, investment and the evolution of global energy supply.

Alongside the thematic discussions, the forum facilitated government-to-government (G2G) engagements, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, and networking opportunities, connecting participating organisations from both countries and creating opportunities to explore potential partnerships across the energy value chain.

The forum highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between governments, energy companies, infrastructure operators, technology providers, investors, financial institutions, academia and research organisations in addressing the increasingly complex requirements of the global energy transition.

Through “Powering Tomorrow Together,” the UAE and France reaffirmed the value of sustained dialogue and practical engagement in advancing energy cooperation and strengthening connections between their respective energy ecosystems. The forum is expected to support continued engagement between UAE and French stakeholders following the event, with a focus on identifying opportunities for technological, industrial, and investment cooperation across areas of shared strategic interest.

WAM