Ahmed Mahboob Musabih: UAE overcame the pandemic challenge thanks to the leadership vision
Ahmed bin Lahej Al Falasi: UAE Customs administrations made 19,741 seizures in 2022.

23 January 2023: Dubai Customs kicked off the 6th Dubai Customs Week, and launched the Dubai Customs Youth Council in line with the standards of the Federal Youth Authority.
The council aims to empower the youth in the organization so that they can better face the challenges and lead the future following the criteria and targets of the UAE Centennial 2071. 

Dubai Customs is organizing the 5th Dubai Customs Week for the 5th year in a row between 23 and 31 Jan. This year’s event will run under the slogan: “Customs Innovations for Future Generations”. The Week will raise awareness around the customs role in achieving sustainable development, and securing the borders. There will be 23 activities and initiatives during the weeklong event. 

H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs, CEO of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation inaugurated the event in the presence of H.E. Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Port and Customs Department, His Excellency Ahmed Abdullah Bin Lahej Al Falasi, Director General of Customs at the Federal Customs Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, His Excellency Mohammed Mir Abdul Rahman, Director of Seaports and Customs Department at the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, Rashid Mohammed Hammad, Director General of Fujairah Customs Department, and His Excellency Majid Abdullah Al-Osaimi, Chairman of the Asian Paralympic Committee. 

“During 2020, global supply chains and all passenger traffic were affected by the repercussions of the covid-19 pandemic, and despite this global crisis, the UAE succeeded in overcoming its effects and making a rapid recovery thanks to the vision and directives of its wise leadership, “ said Musabih. “The Customs sector in the country has played a major role in facilitating and maintaining the continuity and flow of the supply chain relying on a sophisticated technological infrastructure, with all smart channels working around the clock 7 days a week without any human intervention, enabling the clients to complete their transactions from anywhere. 
This has contributed to cementing mutual trade agreements with India, Israel, turkey and Indonesia, and boosted the value and size of trade to more than AED1.6 trillion in the first 9 months of last year, amid expectations to break the 2 trillion barrier at the end of 2022. Number of passengers through the UAE airports skyrocketed to more than 101 million passengers by the end of last year.” 

Musabih said the Dubai Economic Agenda - D33, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai will help boost the emirate’s economic ambitions and double its external trade adding more trade corridors to the emirate with 400 new cities around the world. 
“The World Customs Organization is dedicating 2023 to Nurturing the next generation: promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs. Innovation is a strategic priority to us, and the Dubai Customs Strategic Plan 2021-2026 stands on five main principles including innovation.” 

On his part, His Excellency Ahmed Abdullah Bin Lahej Al Falasi said; “The Customs sector in the UAE is performing well in all aspects, in line with the directives of our leadership, to build a bright future on solid foundations. We provide our services through 100% digital services, and customs administrations were able to achieve optimal employment of human and financial resources, raise efficiency and productivity, and innovate smart systems and leading programs to run the inspection processes, projects and customs platforms. The customs sector was also able to curb smuggling and curtail organized crime networks, thanks to the efficiency of customs administrations, international cooperation, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise. We are confident that in light of the Projects of the 50 and the UAE Centennial Plan 2071, customs sector in the country will be even safer and brighter, for the benefit of our country and the world. Customs administrations in the country made 19,741 seizures, including 6,511 seizures of narcotic substances in 2022.” 
His Excellency Majid Abdullah Al-Osaimi highlighted the role of customs in the country in protecting the society and securing the borders against all smuggling attempts.

In the ceremony, Dubai Customs announced the Green Customs Initiative, which will see Dubai Customs work closely with other international authorities to curb illegitimate trade in substances harmful to the environment. 
Dubai Customs honored the creative employees of determination (employees with special needs) in recognition of the innovative ideas and solutions they submitted through the smart channels.