Dubai Customs kicked off its events in the UAE Innovation Month under the slogan ‘Al Furdah Innovates 2022’.
A virtual ceremony was organised in the occasion with the presence of H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs, CEO of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, and directors and heads of customs departments and centers.
Musabih delivered a speech followed by speeches of Anthony Mills, CEO, the Global Innovation Institute (GInI), USA, and Dr. Yousef M. Al-Assaf. President at Rochester Institute of Technology-Dubai.
In his speech, Musabih highlighted the importance of instilling and building a culture of innovation and embracing a multi-faceted approach to innovation.
“Our week-long activities aim at consolidating this culture and encouraging clients and employees alike to develop new ideas to further enhance our product and service offering in support of the national economy. Innovations and creative projects have advanced the country’s standing on the global indexes.
“The UAE is first in the world in using information technology and efficient governance, and fourth in communication and information technology impact on access to essential services and trade transactions. Now, 99.6% of customs transactions are completed through smart channels, and that has raised the number of transactions to 24 million, growing 50% from 16 million in 2020. ”
Dubai Customs has launched a number of creative projects recently including the Smart Electric Vehicles, which are used for patrolling and inspection purposes, the Customs Submarine to take videos and pictures of vessels’ hulls underwater, the I-Box for valuable goods, the second phase of I-Declare, the Smart Inspection Programme (SIMA), and the Cross Border eCommerce Platform.
The Government Department has received more than 46,000 ideas and won 145 local and global rewards between the years 2000 and 2021.
Last year, Dubai Customs topped the IdeasUK Platinum Index obtaining 12 platinum accreditations, including nine accreditations with full mark, which is unprecedented at the public and private sectors’ levels worldwide.
The leading customs organisation enhanced this performance further by winning the idea of the year and nine other international awards from IdeasAmerica 2021. The leading Government Department won six golden awards, which is the first time in which Dubai Customs wins this number of golden awards in Ideas America’s finals.
In his speech, Dr. Yousef M. Al-Assaf, President at Rochester Institute of Technology-Dubai said: “Dubai Customs, as shown in Rochester University’s studies, is a leading customs organization that took digitalisation to a new level. The advancements the Department is achieving in this field has reduced cost and increased clients’ revenues.”
At the event, the Self –Audit Project, developed by the Customs Audit Department, was launched. It aims at encouraging clients self-audit to ensure their compliance with the customs procedures and regulations, and to be familiar with any exemptions of duties in place. The service will be available on Dubai Customs website and Dubai Trade website.
Winners of IdeasUK and IdeasAmerica were honored, and Innovation Oasis Council 2022 was launched.