Dubai Customs and Dubai Municipality sign gold testing agreement at DIGAE

Dubai – 9 April 2018:   His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council visited PCFC’s stand at the Dubai Government Achievements Exhibition (DIGAE) and was briefed on its initiatives by the Director of Dubai Customs, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih. 

Different decision makers and leaders participating in Dubai Government Achievements Exhibition (DIGAE) applauded the valuable addition Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) made to the event in its 6th cycle. DIGAE runs from 9 to 11 April under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai at Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC). 

PCFC used the event to exchange expertise with other exhibitors in the government field, to showcase its achievements and to highlight the role of artificial intelligence and technical breakthroughs in innovating its services and products. The Corporation is taking part this year with 26 smart initiatives under the theme “Gateway to making the future” at stand B-8, hall (7). 

PCFC is participating this year with a number of ambitious projects including Claim & Refund, Authorized Economic Program, Post Clearance Audit, I Declare, E-Integrated Goods Clearance Operation, Business 2 Government, Dubai Maritime Virtual Cluster, Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) solution, NAU initiative, amongst others. Visitors will have the chance to win valuable prizes by participating in the competitions that PCFC will hold during the exhibition.

The first day of the exhibition saw a signing of an agreement between Dubai Customs and Dubai Municipality at the Executive Council’s stand. As per the agreement, all precious metals will be tested at terminal (2), Dubai International Airport instead of sending them to Dubai Central Laboratory Department at Al Karama. This reduces the time taken to test these materials down to 4 hours instead of 3 days.

The agreement was signed by Ibrahim Kamali, Director, Passenger Operations Department and Khalid Sharif Al Awadhi, Assistant Director General for Environment, Health & Safety Control Sector, in the presence of Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General Secretary of the Dubai Executive Council, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, and Dawood Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality. 

Commenting on this agreement, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih said:” We are happy to provide the best facilities to our clients and passengers in support of Expo 2020. This agreement will see us test precious metals and gemstones in a few hours instead of days as was the case. Our cooperation with Dubai Municipality will serve the strategic objectives of Dubai Plan 2021”. 

On his part, Al Awadhi pointed out the agreement is part of its mutual cooperation with Dubai Customs being one of its major partners. 

He added: “The agreement will facilitate the clearance of gold and precious metals which benefits passengers and gold and jewelry businesses. Dubai Central Laboratory Department will test these precious materials at terminal (2), Dubai International Airport in a few hours instead of having them sent to the lab and waiting days for the results”.