Dubai, UAE, 20th February 2017:  More cooperation between local, regional and international authorities is needed to facilitate trade and sustain security. That was the main message from the Director General of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih in the keynote delivered today at the opening of the Cargo and Personnel Screening Conference. The event ran for two days (20th-21st February) at the Dusit Thani hotel in Dubai, and was organized by International Quality & Productivity Center (IQPC) in strategic partnership with Dubai Customs. The conference highlighted 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 protect our societies from the perils of illegitimate trade. 

“Updating and improving screening techniques has become a necessity to face the challenges of today which include the rising number of passengers and trade volume. Customs administrations around the world will seek to adopt the latest advancements in inspection in order to sustain security and protect societies from the perils of illegitimate trade without compromising the quality of service they provide to their clients. We are happy and proud to have partnered with this important conference, which is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise with different stakeholders. It is a chance for us to showcase our experience in developing and using the latest smart applications in screening and inspection” Musabih added. 

IATA estimates air passengers to reach 7.3 billion by 2034. In 2016, 3.7 billion passengers travelled by air, and in 2014, for example, the volume of trade reached $22.3 trillion. 

The number of passengers and trade value are rising in Dubai. It is expected that the number of Dubai visitors will be around 20 million in 2020 compared to 14.9 million visitors in 2016. Dubai Customs will have to deal with 120 million air passengers in 2020, and air cargo to rise to more than 5 million tonnes. In 2030, around 190 million passengers are expected to use Dubai airports, and they will rise to 260 million in 2040 and 309 million in 2050.  

“The UAE faces the rising number of passengers and trade volume efficiently following the vision of our wise leadership which urges all of us to turn challenges into opportunities to fulfil the requirements of the “post oil UAE” initiative. This great initiative, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, will help in diversifying the national economy by developing external trade and logistic services. We, at Dubai Customs, adopt the latest smart technologies in inspection and risk evaluation to be able to cope up with the rising growth in trade and travel movement in the UAE” Musabih added. 

The Director of Dubai Customs explained that Dubai Customs provides the entry points with the latest technologies to help sustain security and protect society from illegitimate trade. 

“The process starts even before shipments arrive. The Risk Engine evaluates shipments based on information funnelled into it from different channels and decides the level of risk. Accordingly, 96% of declarations didn’t need any human intervention, and this was applauded by World Customs Organization which advised other customs administrations around the world to adopt it” Musabih added. 

At the event today, Dubai Customs will showcase its experience in developing and using the smart inspection devices. Falah Khalil Al Sammak, Manager of Passenger Customs Operations at Dubai International Airport will brief the audience with the smart luggage inspection system which was developed internally by Dubai Customs.

Dawood Mohammed Al Zarouni, Head of Data Analysis Section at Customs Intelligence Department will have a presentation on the risk engine which was internally developed by Dubai Customs. 

On the side lines of the conference, Dubai Customs set up a stand to showcase its activities and products, and enlighten the participants with its role in facilitating trade and developing personnel and goods inspection systems.