Dubai Customs has recently revamped its portal (www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae) ,which now has a significantly advanced look that meets the expectations and requirements of both customers and public users. The new portal enables users to easily access the various eServices being offered by Dubai Customs and allows them to stay up-to-date with the news and activities of the Department. Moreover, it serves decision makers, economic experts and the media by providing detailed statistics regarding Dubai international trade and other important figures.
Khalil Saqr bin Gharib, Director of Corporate Communication Department at Dubai Customs, said that the newly refurbished portal is in line with the “Government Websites Excellence Model”, which was developed by Dubai eGovernment around a customer-focused concept. It was designed in a way that meets the needs and expectations of users and responds to the wide aspirations of those concerned; from the general public to specialists.
Mr Gharib highlighted that Dubai Customs ran an opinion poll of website users in 2010 to get their feedback and impressions of the general look of the website, its content and services. Later on, a study of the poll outcome was carried out and it was directed that whatsoever conformed with the Department strategy and vision of facilitating the movement of legitimate trade, be implemented.
One of the most prominent improvements incorporated in the revamped portal is catering to people with special needs by providing a feature that enables blind people to listen to an audio version of texts; both in Arabic and English, and a feature to increase or decrease font size to better serve partially sighted users.
Moreover, the new website features Dubai Customs official pages on social networking sites.
Other key modifications and additions include an improved general look of the website homepage, a faster user-friendly browsing; whether using PCs or smart phones, a print option for all website pages, cutting-edge search engine, well-structured and efficient site map, listing available vacancies at Dubai Customs in special section and displaying statistics of non-oil Dubai trade with the world.
In addition, website users can download and print-out booklets and publications released by Dubai Customs that are specially tailored for businesses, individuals or travellers.
Striving to facilitate the interactions of people and companies with Dubai Customs, the Department re-categorised its services on its new website under three categories; Businesses, Individuals and Travellers, to ease and expedite work procedures and achieve higher satisfaction level among customers, as services are clearer and inquiring about them is made faster.
The homepage of the new website incorporates links that are of interest to customers and web surfers namely customs procedures followed in registration and licensing, recording of trademarks , Rafed service that enables individuals to communicate any trade malpractices, protection of IPR, customs polices and notices, HS Code Search, Client Service Charter /Travellers Guide and CSR.