Government

H.E. Abdullah Al Shaibani, Secretary-General of the Dubai Executive Council, and H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, inaugurated the Dubai Suggestion Forum 2014. The third edition of the forum, held at The Address Downtown Dubai, highlighted the role of the Dubai Government Unified Suggestions System and explored the prospects of developing the system to become an Innovative Platform for Exceptional Services.
In his keynote speech, H.E. Abdullah Al Shaibani emphasised the importance of hosting such forums and spoke about the role of the Dubai Government Unified Suggestions System for Employees and Customers in forming a platform for attracting and boosting creativity and innovation in the government. Following the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to pursue leadership in various areas and levels and provide a good life for the people of this country, whether citizens, expatriates or visitors, the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai, in coordination with Dubai Smart Government Department and coordinators at government entities, developed the Dubai Government Unified Suggestions System for Employees and Customers to operate as a platform for lodging innovative ideas and suggestions that contribute to continuously advance government services," Al Shaibani said.

The Secretary-General of the Dubai Executive Council noted Since the system was launched as a strategic initiative in May 2011, government entities have taken advantage of the system in communicating with their customers and employees, reviewing suggestions and responding to them as per a documented standard methodology, consistent with the criteria set by The Dubai Model for Government services. A team from The Dubai Model Center works side-by-side with Dubai Smart Government Department to regularly update and develop the suggestion system.

H.E. Al Shaibani remarked Statistics show that 35 government entities adopt the system and the suggestions lodged through the system amounted to 65152. It is worth noting that the Dubai Government Unified Suggestion System earned the Ideas UK Platinum Accreditation in 2013, as the best integrated government methodology for suggestions. Participating government entities were nominated for Ideas UK, Ideas USA and Ideas Germany throughout 2012, 2013 and 2014.

He indicated that new specifications for the system are being developed by a team from Dubai Smart Government Department to meet the requirements of government entities and adhere to the criteria of The Dubai Model Center. As a result, the Suggestion and Complaint System is now available on smart phone applications.

H.E. Ahmed Mahboob, Dubai Customs Director stated, We are gathering here today at the Dubai Government Unified Suggestion Forum, to discuss the role of the unified system in developing government services towards becoming (an innovative platform for exceptional services). Enlightened by the vision of the innovation and excellence pioneer H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, we shall devise an approach encouraging employees innovative energy, unleashing their potentials to reach the utmost of excellence. This would ensure the leverage of government services level and realize His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashids directives in pleasing clients beyond seeking their satisfaction. By doing so, the UAE will assume a fronted position globally in the future, following the very recent success in advancing to the 12th position globally at the Global Competitiveness Report 2014.

Dubai Customs Director further noted, This forum coincides with H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashids launch of The Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation, attributed to the profound importance in aiding government agencies to innovate at the fields of government policies, services, organizational structures, operations and procedures, to an extent that would elevate the countrys competitiveness at the government sector level. He affirmed that this forum provides a radiant reflection upon suggestions as a pillar of creativity and innovation, and that this new Centre shall create a hallmark in the course of government work by boosting the positive spirit of creativity and innovation to be channelled via a specialized centre, inspired by His Highnesss insight, while translating new ideas into practical innovations efficiently affecting customs work.

He further noted, Attentively observed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chief of the Executive Council; the Dubai Government Unified Suggestions System succeeded in attaining numerous achievements as well as in positively contributing to the government services development by means of following up and actuating employee suggestions, and seeking to activate their role in enhancing performance.

H.E. Ahmed Mahboob affirmed that Dubai Customs experience in the field of suggestions proved that employee suggestions have an effective impact on the development of services and procedures. They also serve as an anchor for the Departments overall operational efficiency by improving productivity and increasing income. A total of AED 1 billion of revenues and saved expenses turned out from implementing employee suggestions, with as many as1364 suggestions being applied.

In 2014, Dubai Customs received a number of elite awards in the field of suggestions, winning the DGEP 17th edition Innovative Idea Award for Al Kashif vehicle project, the best idea in clients service award at Ideas Arabia Ninth International Conference, as well as the Ideas UK Platinum Classification for the fifth year in a row with a full score of 100% in two successive years.

The forum also discussed future prospects for the Government Unified Suggestions System development, in line with the governments shift from e-government into smart government. This was particularly addressed through a paper delivered by Mr Marwan Salem bin Haider, Executive Director of Planning and Development at Dubai Smart Government Department (DSGD). The paper was titled Keys To A Successful Suggestion Platform.

Four suggestion managers for four government departments showcased their attributed entities experience in dealing with employee suggestions. Moreover, Mr. Cyril Voisin, Regional Technology Officer at Microsoft Gulf delivered a lecture on Microsofts experience in creativity and innovation management. Hype Softwaretechnik GmbH gave a presentation on the latest information technology applications in the field of suggestion management.

Two panel sessions were held at the event, which discussed the heads of suggestion units submitted papers. The first was moderated by Dr. Major Abdul Al Rahman Hasan Al Muaini, Improvement Leader at Dubai Police, and the second was chaired by Mr. Ahmed Abdul Salam Kazim, Strategy and Corporate Excellence Director at Dubai Customs.

Winding up the forum, H.E. Abdullah Al Shaibani and H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, honoured speakers at the opening session. On the other hand, Mrs. Eman Al Suwaidi, Director of The Dubai Model Centre, and Ahmed Abdul Salam Kazim on behalf of Dubai Customs, honoured the sponsors and the participating government agencies.

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