Dubai Customs to uncover six innovative Customs initiatives at DIGEA 2016

Dubai Customs unveils six innovative and pioneering Customs initiatives driven by the cores of government excellence, as it takes part in the Dubai International Government Achievements Exhibition (DIGEA)2016 which kicks off today Monday 11th of April and runs until 13th of April at Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC).

With the motto “ Local Governments, Global Achievements”,  this year’s internationalized exhibition is being held under the auspices of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Smart pavilion

Dubai Customs’ exhibition pavilion is themed “Customs achievements.. World-class standards” and brings to display DC’s latest  smart achievements and innovative initiatives, namely The Virtual Corridor, Smart Enterprise Capability,   Enterprise Case Management, Smart Inspection Glasses, Smart Workspace and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program.

 “The Virtual Corridor” is showcased in a three dimensional model, illustrating the basic fundamentals of this initiative. Moreover, the  Smart Enterprise Capability and   Enterprise Case Management will be shared with visitors in a –first of its kind - cinematic room, and large screen will be in place for a real-time informative visitors’ experience.

Smart glasses three-dimensional structure

DC’s vast pavilion is also embracing a three-dimensional structure mimicking Smart glasses with a built-in projection screen besides which will display the actual Smart glasses. This ground-breaking facility is expected to be a luring magnet for visitors due to its cutting edge applications. The “Smart Workspace”  will be showcased via a giant smartphone-shaped  screen and an informative video on the Authorized Economic Operator Program AEO will also take the stand.

Smart Workspace initiative

The Smart Workspace is an intelligent tool that cuts down the time span to fill in a Customs declaration from the traditional 15 – 20 minutes to only 1 – 5 minutes. Worthwhile noting that  in 2015, the number of submitted Customs declarations increased to 6.83 million.

Smart Workspace encompasses four main features:

My Favourite Declarations: Enables a client  to flag a favourite declaration, and to make a new submission while utilizing earlier-inputted information  with the options of change and edit.

My Templates: It allows a client to create own data relevant customized declaration.

My Frequent Declarations: An advanced search tool that allows a client  to find frequent declaration/s based on given criteria  with the functions of saving, reusing and managing the search criteria. Declarations flagged under this utility can also be used as templates and/or marked under My Favourites. . 

Predictive Services: It  predicts subsequent Customs services based on an intelligent algorithm of Customs services’ correlations, providing an auto-created draft of these services such as, Booking Inspection Appointment and the Smart Refund System.  

Enterprise Case Management

This facility evolved from the need of ensuring the shortest time possible in processing Customs cases with the least effort upon the clients. Amongst its multiple features, it allows electronic tracking of Customs cases post to entering companies data into the system and the release of cases to a number of technical departments for review and opinion. It also enables the Head of Legal Cases Section and the legal researcher to overview the submitted supportive documents for a better decision making. The system is also capable of producing statistical sheets on the technical departments engagement level for better calibrating performance and follow-up purposes, creation of statistical data on the processed Customs cases and generation of specific statistical calculations for each legal researcher as per their business requirements.

Organizational culture of excellence and innovation

HE Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Chairman and CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC),said “The proactive approach and main features of future governments have been set by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum when he affirmed that ‘The gates of future governments will not allow traditional ideas and outdated work methods to pass.’”

HE Sultan bin Sulayem also stressed Dubai’s position as an active catalyst  sparking the culture of excellence within the region and its role in spurring  a wave of global competition in the fields of government innovation and excellence. He asserted that  these two traits had become the fundamental hallmark of government work in Dubai. 

Bin Sulayem further elaborated that Dubai Custom was keen to partake in the DIGAE 2016 with a bundle of innovative Customs initiatives, as a direct interpretation of DC’s strategic goals spearheaded by boosting economic development.

“Such undertakings of Dubai Customs granted the “Mother of All Departments” its cutting edge at the frontier of supporting national economy and facilitating legitimate trade, while steadily anchoring the post-oil future of the nation and in line with the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021.”

A springboard of qualitative achievements

On his part, HE Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Dubai Customs Director said, “ We are marching on the trails of excellence and innovation laid ahead by the wise insights of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”

HE Ahmed Mahboob affirmed Dubai Customs’ sustained approach throughout  the year to best serve the UAE’s flows of foreign trade, which poses a greater importance upon this  year’s participation in 2016 cycle of the DIGAE – such a  unique international platform which enables global peer entities to get a closer perspective on our pioneering government services.