In a recount of Dubai Customs achievements in 2019 and their aspirations in 2020, the Director General of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih confirmed that the 4th of January Document announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai will be a great inspiration for more dedicated work towards a more sustainable development.
The announcement, which coincided with the 14th anniversary of the Accession of His Highness as Ruler of Dubai and ordered the formation of a new Dubai Council will enhance Dubai competitiveness in all aspects, Musabih said.
“The advanced services delivered by Dubai Customs to its clients helped raise the number of transactions carried out by the Government department in 2019 by a record 34% to 13 million transactions from 9.7 million in 2018. This reflects how robust and healthy the economy and trade of Dubai are, and indicates the emirate’s noticeable role it plays globally.
“Dubai trade with the world crossed the trillion mark growing by 6% to reach Dh1.019 trillion in the first 9 months of 2019 from Dh966 billion in the same period in 2019. In support of this growth, Dubai Customs launched a number of initiatives that aim to facilitate and enhance trade, including 24 projects in support of the upcoming EXPO 2020. We are now fully connected with other government partners to ensure best services are delivered to EXPO 2020 exhibitors. We managed to reduce time needed to fill out declaration applications from 20 minutes to just 5 with the help of many advanced applications and platforms including the Smart Workspace.
“Facilitating trade and providing excellent services to our clients is a priority and a daily practice and not just a slogan that we raise. This is what put us first on top of the client happiness meter with 98%.”
Dubai external trade
Dubai non-oil foreign trade volumes surged to 83 million tons in the first 9 months of 2019, an increase by 22% per cent year-on-year from 68 million tons in the corresponding period last year.
Volume of re-exports skyrocketed 48% to 13 million tons, exports rose by 47% to 14 million tons and imports grew by 13% to 56 million tons.
In terms of value, Dubai external trade achieved 6% growth and exceeded the trillion mark making Dh1.02 trillion compared to Dh966 million in the same period in 2018. Exports rose by 23% to Dh118 billion, re-exports grew by 4% to Dh312 billion, and imports were up 3% at Dh589 billion.
Dubai made constant quarterly profits in 2019. The 3rd quarter saw the highest trade activity with Dh343 and 7% growth. The second quarter achieved 3% growth with Dh337 billion, and the 1st quarter grew by 7% to make Dh339 billion compared to the same period in 2018.
Dubai’s foreign trade out of free zones was a big contributor to the overall increase, accounting for Dh439bn, a 11 per cent (+Dh45bn) increase year-on-year. Direct trade achieved 2% growth at Dh574bn, a Dh10bn increase from 1st 9 months in 2018. Customs warehouse trade hit Dh6bn, Land trade grew by 11% contributing Dh169bn, sea trade increased by 5% to Dh381bn, and air trade rose by 4%, accounting for Dh469bn.
World Logistics Passport
Dubai has launched a number of initiatives to facilitate trade in 2019. These included the World Logistics Passport which is designed to boost the role of the Dubai Silk Road program which paves the way for a major growth leap that will expand the UAE's role in the global economy based on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and enhances demand for the emirate’s products, services and integrated transportation systems.
The unique initiative also further raises the growing role played by Dubai Customs in regional and international trade.
Leading innovation
In 2019, Dubai Customs won the innovation platinum award, with a 6-star rating from EFQM Global Excellence Award scoring 700 points, the highest among all participating organizations. With this exceptional achievement Dubai Customs has become the first customs organization in the world to win this reputable global award.
Dubai Customs has also received a “Certified Innovative Organization”- Leader level certificate from the Global Innovation Institute to be the first customs organization in the UAE and worldwide to be graced with this accreditation.
Certified Innovative Organization is a unique certification reserved exclusively for businesses and government agencies. Through a process of independent third-party review and assessment, the CInOrg establishes that an organization has demonstrated a certain level of maturity and capability with respect to being able to consistently deliver on short, medium, and long term innovation and growth endeavors.
This accreditation distinguishes Dubai Customs among its peers and competitors as being capable of delivering leading-edge value and customer experiences to its markets.
Dubai Customs also added 13 Ideas UK and Ideas America awards to a bright collection of awards, recognitions and accolades they won in different fields in 2019. On top of these was the “International Innovation Leader Shield” from Ideas UK which went to the Director General of Dubai Customs, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih who also won the Innovation Leader Certificate from Ideas America.
In 2019 Dubai Customs was awarded the Innovative CEO Award which went to Abdullah Mohammed Al Khaja, Executive Director of Customer Management Division and the silver and bronze Innovation Shields which went to Eng. Adel Al Suwaidi, Director of Technical Support Department. Edris Behzad, Director of Client Happiness Department won the silver Innovation Shield, Falah Khalil Al Sammak, senior manager of DXB Terminal 2 and Mohammed Kharboutli won the bronze Innovation Shields.
Seizures
In terms of securing borders, Dubai Customs boasts highly qualified inspection officers and sophisticated technology that enabled them to make 3807 seizures. Smuggling attempts included a major haul that weighed 251.2 kg of crystal meth and 6.4 kg of heroin, with an estimated market value of AED 25 million. There are also 53 intellectual property cases with a market value of around Dh11million.
Dubai Customs completely redeveloped its customs operations room at Jebel Ali & Tecom Customs Center. It is the first control room of its kind in the region and is equipped with the most advanced and smart electronic systems to efficiently aid in customs activities and operations.
The in-house redevelopment will help streamline inspection activities and reduce time needed for inspection. The Dubai Customs booking system has been linked to that of DP World, which enables clients book inspection slots directly once they receive codes from DP World.
Dubai Customs boasts having the most advanced inspection and scanning systems worldwide. These include the advanced container scanning system, which has the capacity of handling 150 trucks per hour, and the Vessel Smart Tracking System, among many others.
Customs services at Dubai Airports
Dubai Customs is an integral part of the success that Dubai International Airport achieved. It receives 90 million passengers annually, which makes it the world’s biggest airport. There are 77 advanced baggage scanners in the airport operated by highly trained and qualified inspection officers.
Gitex 2019
In addition to that, Dubai Customs actively participated in Gitex Technology Week 2019 with 6 distinctive projects that reflect the world-class level of its services. These included the Virtual Inspection Training project, which is a virtual reality platform that enables inspectors go through different scenarios of inspection, the Productivity Engine, which aims to boost performance based on AI technologies, and the Smart Berth System, which facilitates vessel traffic and manages their berthing at Dubai Creek.
Productivity Engine
Dubai Customs launched the 2nd phase of their Productivity Engine following the success of the 1st phase, which showed positive results across multiple indicators.
The engine, developed in-house by Dubai Customs, uses artificial intelligence to boost productivity, reduce costs and make clients happier and more satisfied in fulfilment of Dubai bold plans and vision. It was approved by the Dubai Executive Council to be used at the government level.
WCO Global AEO Conference
Dubai Customs is proud to organize the 5th edition of the WCO Global AEO Conference in Dubai, from 10 to 12 March 2020 in cooperation with the World Customs Organization and the Federal Customs Authority. Again this reflects the outstanding level Dubai Customs has in terms of technology and infra-structure.
The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program is a partnership between Trade community and Customs, in which actors in the global supply chain can apply for AEO status to receive trade facilitation benefits and, at the same time, verify and increase their level of compliance and security.
AccessAbilities Expo
Dubai Customs has also showcased the services it delivers to people of determination (people of special needs) at the AccessAbilities Expo and Accessable Tourism, the region's dedicated event, that aimed to bring the world's latest robotic and assistive technology products and other services under one roof with the goal of enhancing lives of more than 50 million people in the region having disabilities.
Dubai Customs’ participation in the event wass a reflection of its relentless support to people of determination whether they are employees or clients. The Department always seeks best ways to provide the best and latest facilities to help people of determination integrate in the work environment and society at large, and as part of a bigger vision that sets Dubai to be the friendliest place for people of determination by 2020.
Events
Dubai Customs has organized different events throughout the year, such as the 2nd UAE Customs Week, under the theme “Smart Borders”, which involved numerous activities that targeted clients and employees alike. The IPR Department organized an awareness event to train kids how to combat piracy of digital content through the virtual reality interesting game Cobycat Combat. And in support of innovation, the Organzation has signed an MoU with the Ministry of Economy paving the way to inaugurate the Minds Gate; the first smart national platform that incubate and attract innovators in and outside the UAE.
For more community involvement, Dubai Customs organizes the annual Carpet & Art Oasis which is celebrating its jubilee this year. It draws thousands of tourists and rug lovers, and is a manifestation of the emirate’s diverse economy and attractive and strong touristic offering.
E-Commerce
Dubai is turning into a global e-commerce hub thanks to the efforts of government departments including Dubai Customs which worked together to put forth an e-commerce strategy in support of economic growth and diversification.
Future
In response to the leadership’s recent announcement of getting ready for the next 50 years in the UAE through developing leading projects and initiatives, Dubai Customs organized a customs meeting to discuss the future of trade and the latest trends in the supply chain.
In the meeting, a team from the higher management that will be in charge of putting a strategic plan for the next 50 years was formed. The plan will include regular meetings to help draw a roadmap with more focus on advanced technologies to ensure more success for Dubai Customs
worldwide.
Next year, 2020, has been announced to be the year of getting ready for the next 50 years in the UAE. UAE’s 50th anniversary falls in 2021, marking 50 years since the historic union of the emirates.
Global attention
The smart services of Dubai Customs have become a source of attention and praise from different parties including the World Customs Organizaiton which highly praised their performance on the sidelines of the WCO Council 133rd/134th Sessions in Brussels, Belgium.