Dubai Customs achieved 44 innovations last year to raise the total number of innovations between 2012 and 2019 to 205 breakthrough innovations. Thanks to this, the oldest government department in Dubai bagged 110 awards including 94 global awards and 16 local ones. Last year Dubai Customs received 17 notable awards including 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.
“We have worked hard to turn innovation into a daily practice at Dubai Customs following the wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,” said Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs. “We are following certain strategies to keep up the good work and maintain our leading position around the world. We focus on AI applications in the coming phase. New uses and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) are developed every day, bringing us closer to an unparalleled future. A future that we could’ve never imagined. This will put us closer to fulfil the requirements of the UAE Centennial 2071.
“This year Dubai will host the greatest event in the world - Expo 2020, and Dubai Customs is in the forefront when it comes to big events which involve sophisticated logistics. We have taken many steps to ensure easy traffic of exhibitors’ goods during the event.”
Dubai Customs signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Economy and launched together a smart portal called “Mind Gate”.
The portal brings together all innovators, inventors and thinkers to one place to serve the national strategic plans and vision.
“Last year was very eventful and distinctive. We received more than 37,000 ideas through our different communication channels from our employees, clients and the society at large. Almost 56% of these ideas were meaningful and practical,” said Hussain Al Fardan, Senior Manager of Innovation Center in Dubai Customs.
“We study all the ideas and suggestions we receive, and good ones are put to test and application. With this in mind, we have arranged around 50 visits and meetings with other departments to exchange knowledge and experience with others.
"We have added 13 Ideas UK and Ideas America awards to a bright collection of awards, recognitions and accolades we 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.”