Government | Tuesday 10 April, 2018 2:10 pm |

The stand of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) at Dubai International Government Achievements Exhibition (DIGAE) received a number of diplomatic and official delegations. Paul Fox, British Consul General, Magobo David Magabe, Consul-General of South Africa in Dubai, Kouji Adashi, Japanese Deputy Consul General, Kyte Starkie, the Canadian Commercial Commissioner viewed the stand and learnt about PCFC’s latest innovations and projects. Abdullah Mohammed Al Khaja, Executive Director of Clients Management Division briefed the visitors on Dubai Customs’ efforts and initiatives supporting Expo 2020. Diplomats applauded the Department’s great efforts in supporting the renowned event.

 Director of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih pointed out that Dubai Customs’ winning under the best government department supporting Expo 2020 category in DGEP’s 21st edition is a reflection of the great efforts exerted in this field since November 2013. The Department assigned a dedicated clearance channel for the renowned event’s cargo, with a number of distinctive services and facilitations. Dubai Customs is participating in this year’s Dubai International Government Achievements Exhibition (DIGAE) with 21 initiatives.

During his participation in “Ask Government Leaders” session at DIGAE, Musabih said the Exhibition is an ideal global platform that enables exchange of best practices and most successful experiences. It also helps showcase Dubai Government’s latest practices and achievements which boils down to integrated and consolidated public sector work.

In reply to questions from visitors and followers, Director of Dubai Customs explained that the statistics of Dubai’s non-oil external trade reflects the emirate’s robust and strong economy. Dubai trade exceeded AED 5.3 trillion from 2013 to 2017. Its non-oil trade rose to AED 1.302tr. in 2017; an increase of AED 26b compared to 2016.

Number of customs transactions grew by 3.4% to 9m in 2017 compared to 8.7m in 2016. Also the efforts of Dubai Customs in developing its inspection operations and teams and equip them with the latest tools and inspection machines, have resulted in 2130 seizures in all its air, coastal, and land centers. These included 1628 drug seizures compared to 1347 seizures in 2016, which means a 21% increase and 281 seizures more.

“These seizures are part of our incessant efforts at Dubai Customs to protect society from different types of safety and security hazards. Customs departments are always the first protection line and these efforts go in line with our vision of becoming the best customs department supporting legitimate trade” he said.

Musabih added that creative initiatives and projects were applied to help boost Dubai trade and facilitate customs procedures and operations in support of the UAE Centennial Plan 2071. The number of suggestions and ideas submitted by employees of Dubai Customs to help improve and develop the Department’s performance from 2004 to 2017 were 26,028 ideas. This meant AED 1.7b in revenues and cost reduction.

In line with the Year of Zayed, Dubai Customs launched a number of initiatives including, for example, signing an agreement with the International Humanitarian City for exchange of data related to human aid, and “Basmat Khair” (A Touch of Giving) initiative in cooperation with Awqaf and minors Affairs Foundation. In total, Dubai Customs carried out 162 CSR initiatives last year that benefited more than a million people.