Dubai Customs and Family Development Centers in Sharjah discuss cooperation

Centers Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, with the followed practices in strategic planning and quality system. The delegation also learned about Dubai Customs CSR initiatives. 

The coordination meeting between the two parties was held in the Shaheen meeting room at the Dubai Customs’ main building. Mr Khalil Saqer, Director of Corporate Communication Department, received the delegation, which was headed by Mrs. Khawla Abdul Rahman Al Mulla, Guidance Center Manager. Mrs Al Mulla was accompanied by a number of section heads and employees from the department. 

At the beginning, Dubai Customs briefed the delegation on the Department’s history, organizational structure and vital role in enhancing commercial activities in the Emirate of Dubai and the region, through facilitating and expediting the movement of legitimate commodities and goods and ensuring a safe community and sustainable economy that supports legitimate trade and facilitates movement of passengers and goods. 

During the meeting, a practical experiment of Dubai Customs’ strategic planning and strategy execution in accord with Dubai Government Strategic Plan 2015, was presented. Moreover, they addressed the stages of development and execution of the Department’s Strategic Plan, key challenges and best practices in planning and implementing the Strategic Plan 2013-2015; its characteristics and features, and the Department’s Strategic Map 2013-2015. In addition, they made a visual presentation of Dubai Customs’ vision through its operational business model. 

The delegation of the Family Development Centers Department in Sharjah learned about Dubai Customs’ endeavors in spreading the culture of quality amongst employees and reinforcing it while they perform their duties in order to enhance the services delivered to clients and accredited strategic partners.   

Moreover, the delegation received a brief explanation of the scope of the Quality Section and the quality procedures and guidebook at the Department.  The importance of Quality Management was highlighted, as Dubai Customs has 8 global, administrative standards accredited by many certificate-awarding entities. In addition, the delegation witnessed a presentation of Dubai Customs’ achievements in the Middle East region and the world at large, concerning the Administration System Certificates, Dubai Customs’ future plans, and its developmental efforts consistent with requirements. 

The delegation also learned about Dubai Customs’ CSR endeavours. Dubai Customs considers CSR a key part of its sustainable development strategy, through the adoption of many initiative, namely the Green Customs initiative, which is derived from the United Nations Environment Programme and is in cooperation with the WCO. In addition, Dubai Customs plays a key role in foiling piracy and counterfeiting operations, protecting the community from substances harmful to the human life and the community, and maintaining environmental balance by limiting environmentally-illegal trade, especially the trade of endangered species of fauna and flora, and raising public awareness of the matter.

Dubai Customs has a significant role in communities development, as it urges employees, clients and partners to be involved in sustainable social responsibility programs. Social initiatives launched by Dubai Customs focused on the rights of employees and clients alike and the transparency of dealing with them through the “Client Charter”.  Other initiatives included visiting patients and people with special needs, cleaning beaches, raising awareness of the dangers of trading in endangered animal. In addition, Dubai Customs launched initiatives specially tailored for women, namely the establishment of the “Ra’ida” Women Committee, launching the Best Working Mother Award, and the inauguration of the Dubai Customs’ childcare Center. Dubai Customs works on enhancing the culture of voluntary work amongst employees and raises public awareness of the role the Department plays in reserving IPR and the risks of using counterfeit products. 

At the end of the meeting, Khalil Saqer handed Mrs Khawla a memorial shield on the occasion of their visit. 

Following the visit, Mrs Khawla stated that the selection of Dubai Customs was made upon the corporate reputation of the Department in terms of administrative excellence in various fields, particularly the implementation of its strategic plan which paved the way to excellence in the customs and administrative processes. 

The Family Development Centers Department is keen on conducting benchmarking and learning about best practices and experiences in developing work mechanism and corporate excellence standards implementation.