Organized by IQPC with strategic partnership of Dubai Customs 

Dubai, UAE, February 19, 2017:  The Cargo and Personnel Screening Conference, taking place on 20th-21st February at the Dusit Thani hotel in Dubai, is being organized by International Quality & Productivity Center (IQPC) in strategic partnership with Dubai Customs to highlight the latest innovations in screening and detection technology for the prevention of cross-border crimes in the GCC and beyond. 

With the UAE’s positioning as a world-class transport and integrated logistics hub, it has become more important than ever to deploy effective screening and detection technologies at all borders to prevent and deter criminals. 

Currently, the logistics industry contributes around 14% of the UAE’s GDP and this figure is predicted to increase as the emirates continue to invest heavily in developing port infrastructure in order to secure increased business with Africa and Iran.  By 2020, it is estimated that the aviation, transportation and logistics industries will contribute almost a third of Dubai's entire GDP .  Dubai’s geographical location, supply chain, ports and airports, legislation and infrastructure make it an ideal supply and redistribution gateway. 

Dubai Customs views the procurement of the latest screening and detection technologies as paramount in the fight against cross-border smuggling. His Excellency Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs said:
“Updating and improving screening techniques has become a necessity to face the challenges of today which include the rising number of passenger and trade volume . Customs administrations around the world will use this support in sustaining security and protecting societies from the perils of illegitimate trade without compromising the quality of service they provide to their clients. We are happy and proud partnering with this conference, which will be an opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise with different stakeholders. It will be a chance for us to show our experience in developing and using the latest smart applications in screening and inspection”.   

His Excellency will deliver the opening keynote address at the conference, highlighting Dubai Customs role in the prevention of cross border crime and encouraging the collaboration between the GCC’s custom’s authorities. 

Dubai Customs pays a lot of attention to its team of inspectors, providing them with necessary support to perform their assigned tasks. It also carries out specialized courses on detecting drugs, various methods of concealing drugs and behavioural patterns of individuals who smuggle these items. Moreover, Dubai Customs furnishes inspectors with cutting-edge technologies in screening and inspection of devices, which have largely contributed to honing their expertise in countering attempts and exposing complicated and cunning smuggling methods. 

The Cargo and Personnel Screening conference is the GCC’s first conference dedicated to screening and detection technology and will feature a dedicated exhibition area for our sponsors, Smith’s Detection, Rapiscan, Nuctech, VOTI and Astrophysics  as well as a senior delegation from GCC customs, ports, airports, border guard and police authorities. 

Key speakers at the event will include: H.E Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General, Dubai Customs; Dawood Mohamead Alzarooni ,Information Analysis Section Manager, Customs Intelligence, Dubai Customs; Judge Hatem Aly, Head of Office - GCC Region, UN Office on Drugs and Crime GCC;  Linda Ristagno, Manager - Cargo Border Management, IATA,; Abdulrahman Hassan A. Awadh, Information Technology Division - Strategic Planning, Senior Analyst, Strategic Planning.Senior Analyst – Systems, Information Technology Division, Abu Dhabi Customs; Faisal bin Saud Al Mujaish, Director of the RILO - Middle East and Nicoletta Mazzoleni, Senior Aviation Security Policy Specialist, AVSEC Policy and Regulations, General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).