Dubai Customs has been shortlisted for the final stage of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Award for Smart Government (HbMASG), which is organised by Dubai’ The Model Centre, an entity under the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai. The theme of the second session of HbMASG is ‘City Builders’.
DC qualified for five categories of the award, namely ‘Best Improvement Team, ‘Best Service Center Manager, ‘Best Internal Collaboration for Improvement’, ‘Best Partnership with the Private Sector’, and ‘Best Government Service’.
Dubai Customs’ nominated initiatives include three service and organizational initiatives, which are online Vehicle Clearance Certificate (VCC) initiative in the category of best internal collaboration for improvement, Customs Tariff Opinion initiative in the category of best government service, and Customs Clearance initiative in the category of best partnership with the private sector. The latter is on equal with DP world.
Dubai Customs is also nominated for best improvement team award, with a team led by Ahmed Abdul Salam Kazim, Director of Strategy and Corporate Excellence at Dubai Customs. Ibrahim Ali Al Kamali, Senior Manager of Terminal 3 Airport Customs Operations, is a contender for best service centre manager award.
The public started voting for the nominated initiatives on November 17 and the voting will run through December 3, via the Hamdan bin Mohammed Programme for Smart Government’s smart app (HbMPSG) on iOS and Android. They can also watch videos introducing services and initiatives offered by Dubai Customs on social media networks such as twitter (#HbMPSG& #HbMASG) and Facebook.
Ahmed Abdul Salam Kazim said that Dubai Customs’ shortlisting for the final phase of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Award for Smart Government – in 5 different categories – “is proof that we are on the right track, in line with the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, whether in terms of smart government transformation or ‘happiness index’, which HH launched to measure the public satisfaction with government services on a daily basis; and also in pursuance of the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, to improve government work patterns and implement Smart Government across the board in all Dubai government entities and bodies.”
Edris Behzad, Director of Client Management Department, and deputy leader of Dubai Customs Service Improvement Team, said: “DC focuses its strategy towards achieving optimum customer satisfaction and catering to their needs, while also engaging them in decision making.”
Hala Al Yousfi, Manager, Customs Tariff /Origin at DC, commented: “We took upon ourselves the introduction of customs tariff opinion initiative to be the best government service in Dubai”, adding: “What we have achieved is innovative by all standards, as we apply the best state-of-the-art technologies in service delivery, relying on innovation and creativity factors.”
Bader Al Kharoosi, Manager, Technical Systems Delivery Section at Information Technology Department, said “Customs Clearance Initiative is an online integration between Dubai Customs and DP World. The integrated system is meant to facilitate the exchange of information on the valuation of cargo that is subject to inspection.” He noted that the new initiative significantly helped reduce the frequency of client on-site visits.
On her part, Eman Al Suwaidi, Director of Customs Declaration Department, said “the online VCC initiative provides a single window for customers whereby they can automatically apply for vehicle clearance certificate (VCC) around the clock through Dubai Trade portal or via Smart services on mobile devices.”
The best service center manager nominee, Ibrahim Al Kamali, Director of Terminal 3 Airport Operations, pointed out that his nomination was based on achievements and creative ideas he contributed and which have had a clear impact on Dubai Customs’ and the center’s positive performance, which raised the levels of satisfaction among customers, passengers and staff.
It is noteworthy that Dubai Customs earned the best improvement leader trophy at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Award for Smart Government, during its first session last year. Ahmed Abdul Salam Kazim, Director of Strategy and Corporate Excellence, secured the prestigious award.