Dubai – 4 March 2017:  Dubai Customs (DC) has received a delegation from Saudi Customs to discuss cooperation perspectives and boost mutual ties and exchange of expertise. The visit was primarily aimed at reinforcing joint customs work between both agencies through harmonization of processes and facilitation of border formalities and services to enhance bilateral flow of trade, investments and passengers.

The meeting was held at Jebel Ali Port where Director of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih welcomed Ahmed Alhakbani, Director General of Saudi Customs and members of the accompanying delegation. Attending the meeting were Abdullah Al Khaja, Executive Director for Customer Management Division at DC, Ahmed bin Lahej, Executive Director for Customs Affairs at Federal Customs Authority, Faysal Lutfi, CEO of Customs World, Youssef Al Hashemi, Director of Land Customs Centers Management, alongside a number of DC senior officers.

The delegation was walked through Dubai Customs’ cargo inspection and clearance process and the latest smart technologies and solutions used for screening containers and consignments to ensure effective control and facilitation of legitimate trade. They were particularly briefed about the significant impact of such technology advancements on promoting national economy and increasing trade movement.      

Afterwards, the Saudi delegation was taken on a field tour of DC’s sophisticated customs inspection facilities including the advanced container x-ray scanning system and the smart mobile inspection lab. They received first-hand explanations about the smooth inspection operation at the port of Jebel Ali which integrates strong intelligence, risk profiling and analysis via the innovative Risk Engine with state-of-the-art screening technology. The objective is to ensure targeted inspection of consignments and therefore efficient flow of trade.      

On the other side of the tour, the visiting delegation took to Dubai International Airport terminal 3 to learn about DC’s passenger customs operations and the facilities provided to assure seamless passage of  travellers and zero-waiting time clearance process. They explored DC’s integrated and high-tech inspection process components which include a world-class control and operations room, baggage handling system (BHS), smart luggage inspection system, as well as tailored services such the customs clearance cart for the disabled, elderly and VIPs and the award-winning Al Khashif vehicle which is capable, with its 16 technological devices, of detecting prohibited and restricted items in passengers’ bags without disrupting their smooth passage through the airport customs zone. 

“The UAE-Saudi ties are very strong, and the leadership of both nations wants them to be even more exceptional and exemplary and moving towards a new, integrational level. This orientation was clearly embodied by the Al Azm retreat that recently took place in Abu Dhabi aiming to combine capabilities and create joint opportunities for business growth in all sectors,” said Ahmed Mahboob Musabih.

He emphasized Dubai Customs’ commitment to strengthening cooperation, knowledge and technology transfer and sharing of expertise to boost streamlined flow of goods and passengers while ensuring effective control of borders. “Doing so, we are in fact further reinforcing inter-GCC customs work.”  

Ahmed Alhakbani hailed the progress achieved by Dubai Customs in modernizing customs work by coupling best practice with smart technology, which makes it a world-class model to follow in this realm. He particularly noted DC’s efforts and responsible commitment to creating an advanced and sustainable customs system that serves the flow of legitimate goods and people, efficiently. 

“We hope that coordination meetings like this one would continue to help our customs administrations meet their common interests and objectives,” Alhakbani added.