The program has successfully graduated 76 high school graduates as customs inspectors, equipping them with advanced skills and practical experience to enhance operational efficiency, border security, and global trade facilitation
Dubai Customs showcases Masar 33 program’s success in developing national customs talent
Dubai Customs has announced the remarkable achievements of its Masar 33 training program, an innovative initiative launched in November 2024 to empower Emirati youth in the customs sector
As part of its strategic vision to develop a qualified national workforce capable of enhancing border security, supporting legitimate trade, and advancing human capital, Dubai Customs launched Masar 33 as a sustainable, long-term initiative. Since its inception, the program has become a milestone in Dubai Customs’ efforts to build a fully integrated, professional customs ecosystem grounded in expertise, readiness, and adherence to the highest customs, security, and regulatory standards.
The program began with a rigorous selection process, followed by intensive academic and field training in collaboration with strategic partners, including Dubai Police Academy and University of Dubai. Training covered multiple areas, such as customs procedures, suspicious behavior analysis, managerial and behavioral skills, inspection and monitoring, customs laws and regulations, communication, and basic customs security. Participants also took part in practical workshops simulating real customs operations across all departments, providing an interactive, hands-on learning environment.
In a short period, the program graduated three cohorts, with a total of 76 high school graduates officially appointed as customs inspectors across Dubai’s land, sea, and air ports.
H.E. Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, said:
"In line with Dubai’s ambitious 2030 vision to strengthen its position as a leading global hub for economic diversification, the Masar 33 training program reflects Dubai Customs’ commitment to developing national talent and preparing a new generation of leaders in the logistics and customs sectors. Graduates have acquired advanced customs skills that enhance operational efficiency and improve service quality, complementing the objectives of the Dubai Logistics Academy and supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to double the emirate’s economy and secure its position among the world’s top three economic cities."
He added:
"Masar 33 provides students with a unique opportunity to experience a real working environment, making it a living example of our strategy to attract and develop national talent. These young men and women are the natural extension of our leadership’s vision to build a qualified national workforce capable of facing the challenges of customs and security work. The program is designed as a long-term training pathway that continuously equips Dubai Customs with skilled national professionals."
Busenad concluded:
"Our investment in national talent aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who emphasises that the UAE’s true future lies in its people — capable, national professionals who can drive sustainable, inclusive development. Programs like Masar 33 put people at the heart of development and provide them with the tools for excellence and leadership."
Mohammed Al Ghaffari, Executive Director of Human Resources Division at Dubai Customs, highlighted the program’s broader impact:
"Over seven months of training and qualification, the program successfully graduated three consecutive cohorts of 76 employees, all now integrated into Dubai Customs’ operational workforce. This achievement demonstrates not only the program’s effectiveness but also serves as a model for smart localization policies based on competence and merit, developing a new generation of professional customs inspectors who combine academic knowledge with field experience to safeguard the nation’s borders and secure trade flows."