Dubai Customs won first place in the Arabia CSR Awards for organizations in the Government Sector of the Middle East category.

The award ceremony was organized by the founder of the prize, the Arabia CSR Network, at the Address Hotel under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group and Chairman of Dubai Airports; in the presence of Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairman of Arabia CSR Network, and many officials and representatives of government authorities and private organizations participating in the event. During the sixth session of the Arabia CSR Forum and Awards, the winners were announced and honored.

Dubai Customs also won second place jointly with Dolphin Energy Limited, under the category of cooperation with non-governmental organizations.

Dubai Customs won first place in recognition of its sustainable community initiatives and practices launched and carried out by the Department, and their compliance with the major standards of the prize. The number of participants in this session has reached 111, with 80 Arab and foreign companies and corporations in the public and private sectors of the Arab world.

Mr. Khalil Saqer, Director of Corporate Communication Department at Dubai Customs, received the award on behalf of Dubai Customs.

Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi praised the continuous participation of Dubai Customs in the Arabia CSR Awards competition and the results it has achieved over the past years. She asserted that winning one of the top awards reflects the commitment of the senior management to carry out an important role in the community, in addition to its original work and support provided to all the employees and the various sections and departments. It also emphasizes that Dubai Customs adopts a clear strategy with regard to social and environmental responsibility that is regularly updated.

Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi declared that with its success, Dubai Customs represents a model to be imitated by other government institutions: “The Arabia CSR Network presents this achievement as a case study in international events and gatherings it takes part in.”

Likewise, the Director of Corporate Communication Department at Dubai Customs, Khalil Saqer, expressed his pride in the Department’s new achievement, as he acknowledged that the two prizes highlight the steps taken in the community initiatives sector, including the attainment of the SA8000 Standard (Social Accountability). Saqer affirmed that in addition, this achievement showcases Dubai Customs’ focus on the rights of staff and clients, along with the Department’s  interest in all social spectra, environmental issues, and its awareness of intellectual property issues and the risks of counterfeit products.   

Saqer pointed out that the prize was given to Dubai Customs due to the large efforts exerted by its leadership team in the field of social responsibility, as it launched and executed multiple social initiatives. He stressed that social responsibility is now part of Dubai Customs’ strategy and in accordance with the government’s interest in this field.

Saqer added that Dubai Customs focuses on four main axes in its social initiatives, which are the environment, community, clients, and employees. Dubai Customs has adopted numerous sustainable social projects.  He expounded upon the Department’s dedication to social responsibility: “Dubai Customs’ interest in social responsibility is part of its commitment to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the fundamental conventions of the International Labor Organization. The Department is devoted to preserve the environment and natural resources, and to encourage its staff, clients, and partners to apply the best practices to eliminate the risks of pollution and carbon print. Dubai Customs is committed to the recycling process and energy saving whenever possible through a quality management system that complies with the requirements of ISO 14001:2004 standards and the SA8000 Standard (Social Accountability).”