Dubai Customs handles 5.535 million bags, makes 166 seizures at Airport Terminal 2 in 2022
DUBAI,15th March, 2023 (WAM) -- Dubai Customs' Terminal 2 Customs Centre has achieved a remarkable feat by handling 5.535 million bags and making 166 seizures in 2022. To promote the growth of tourism and travel in Dubai, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director-General of Dubai Customs and CEO of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, led a nighttime tour of Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport's customs centre, accompanied by the department's leadership team.
Ibrahim Al Kamali, Director of Passenger Operations Department, and Falah Khalil Al Samak, Senior Manager of Terminal 2 Operations, briefed Musabih on the centre's operations and the constant improvement of customs services and facilities offered to visitors and jetsetters.
Musabih commended the hard-working staff at the centre and their unwavering dedication to improving customs services for passengers. He emphasised that Dubai's customs centres are constantly evolving and providing better services and amenities for tourists and travelers, which aligns with the UAE's ambitious plans to boost tourism and travel and solidify its position as a global and regional hub. In 2023, the UAE will host the COP28 global climate change conference at Expo Dubai, further enhancing its critical role as a hub for global sustainability efforts.
Musabih reaffirmed Dubai Customs' commitment to continuously improve its services and implement its strategic plan for 2021-2026 to consolidate its position as a world leader in secure customs. This will allow Dubai Customs to actively contribute to achieving the goals of Dubai's economic agenda, D33, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The objective of D33 is to double the size of Dubai's economy over the next decade and position it as one of the world's top three economic cities.
Dubai Customs is also supported by the latest customs devices and technologies, using the best smart applications for information technology and artificial intelligence. For instance, the Smart iDeclare application enables travelers to electronically declare the goods, cash, and precious metals they have in their possession in less than five minutes before arriving at the border crossings in Dubai.
Falah Khalil Al-Samak spoke of the various initiatives that have been implemented to enhance the capabilities of customs centers in Dubai airports, including the "Smart Bag" service, which provides a digital solution for delivering customs documents without the need for physical paperwork. The coordination with government agencies in Terminal 2 has also resulted in an agreement with the General Administration of Airport Security to update the mechanism for dealing with delayed bags, making the overall process smoother and more convenient for passengers.