Dubai Customs unveils advisory panel for smart services

Dubai Customs now has an advisory panel on smart services with the purpose of advancing innovation in smart service delivery in line with DC Smart Transformation Strategy and Dubais future aspirations. As many as 34 leading companies are on board the new platform, representing the majority of DC customers across different business industries.

Labelled Smart Services Advisory Panel (SSAP), the new consultative body was officially launched during a meeting at Dubai Customs, attended by HE Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs and DC senior management, alongside the selected 34 members from the business community.
As a new board of communication and partnership between Dubai Customs and its clients, the panel indeed creates a new stage of Customs work, with a view to meeting the Smart Government perspectives for the next phase in terms of customer happiness and best preparation for World Expo 2020 in Dubai, said Ahmed Mahboob Musabih. The establishment of the Advisory Committee stems from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the emirate to be a leader in m-government services, and HHs initiative to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world.

Dubai Customs Director urged all customers and members of the panel to be actively engaged with Dubai Customs in seeking to implement the future goals of Dubai as set by Dubai Plan 2021, where DC has a key role to play in three main areas: A City that Enjoys Sustainable Economic Growth, A Smart and Sustainable City, and "The Preferred Place to Live, Work and Visit.

The SSAP is aimed at developing creative ideas to build new smart services that support the business activities of clients, improving Customs services towards higher efficiency and more value added to the best satisfaction of customers, and adopting smart technology transformation to achieve digital integration in all mutual transactions.

The formation of the Smart Services Advisory Panel affirms the attention Dubai Customs pays to public-private partnership (B2G) as a driving force for continual development and innovation, in conformity with DP 2021 which views stakeholder involvement as a fundamental pillar to attain leadership worldwide, added Ahmed Mahboob.

He welcomed the opinions and suggestions of customers geared at the advancement of Customs operations, because as they are an integral part of this improvement process and they are the main target and first beneficiary of services offered by Dubai Customs. Customer feedback helps us in reengineering our processes to the benefit of the organization and the clients whom we consider as a key player in the decision making pertaining to the quality and methods of Customs service delivery, said Director of Dubai Customs.

During the meeting, Juma Al Gaith, Executive Director of Customs Development Division, who is also Chairman of SSAP, gave a detailed presentation outlining the objectives and mechanisms of the advisory committee. He noted that Dubai Customs targets the completion and delivery of 80% of customs transactions via smart applications by 2018.

Al Ghaith said the creation of the new Smart Services Advisory Panel meets the vision of the government of the future, as put by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid when he said: The Government of the future works 24/7 and 365 days a year. It is as hospitable as hotels, fast in delivering and strong in its procedures. The Government of the future is innovative and adaptive. It improves the quality of life and helps people achieve their happiness."
The SSAP will assume a strategic mission of exchanging ideas and opinions between Dubai Customs and its customers to design and implement DCs Smart Services Strategy, added Al Ghaith. The panel will hold its first meeting next week to discuss the general framework of procedure, review the status of smart customs services, and debate on new suggestions for improvement.

The chief of Customs Development presented DCs outstanding smart transformation journey, which earned the organization countless achievements on the path to delivering streamlined, prompt and cost-efficient services to customers.