DUBAI: H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation launched the “Smart Customs Inspection System” which is the first of its kind system, invented by one of Dubai Customs employees to better facilitate to better facilitate the customs inspector’s functions, in a swift and innovative manner apart from any stalling or complexity. The system aims to improve the customs experience for air travellers, ensuring smooth and seamless airport procedures. The new invention has the capacity to conduct the whole inspection process in less than three minutes.
The integrated multi functions system is capable of recognising its operator, identifying risk level, recommending the safety level for manual inspection referral , timing the inspection process, generating an inspection end statement (positive/negative), establishing a record of the manually inspected bags, analyzing peak times for manual inspection and creating a passengers’ data base.
“Dubai Customs is always seeking to reflect upon the directives of our wise leadership, aimed at making the year 2015 a parade of innovative and creative projects in all aspects of life. The new innovation is just an expression of how keen Dubai Customs and its staff members are on backing the country’s growth in all spheres,” Bin Sulayemcommented atthe system’s launching.
He also underlined Dubai Customs’ efforts in achieving world-class performancein all of its services and transactions aimed at actuating DC’s vision in becoming ‘The leading customs administration in the world supporting legitimate trade’. As well, he highlighted DC’s leadership team attentiveness towards implementing all in-house generated innovative ideas, utilizing even the simplest of viable ideas and ultimately concentrating all DC’s internal forces towards one sole goal – to meet the objectives and aspirations ofUAE’s vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021.
On his part, H.E Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, commended DC employees’ performance and thanked them for their dedication to bringing in new suggestions and ideas in order to create a better working environment and to deliver the finest of services to clients. He also hailed the outstanding role of the Airport Passengers Operation team in providing superior services withina more welcoming environment and a better customs experience for all air travelers.
“The new smart customs inspection system, which will soon be joining our field operations in Dubai airports, has a spontaneous satisfaction measurement function, in line with the “Happiness Indicator” initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, back in October 2014,” said Ahmed Mahboob.
Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahej, Director of Passenger Operations Department, pointed out that the new inspection system was created by Ahmed Shahdad, Inspection Manager at DXB Terminal 2, who sought to create an inspection tool that would increase customs throughput and expedite passengers’ formalities at the airport. The system is consideredreally handy as Dubai international was named the world’s busiest airport for passenger traffic in 2014. A total of 70 million passengers had travelled through Dubai International last year, 6.1% up from 2013.
Bin Lahej remarked that the idea for the new first-of-its-kind smart system was introduced based on their daily interaction with an ever growing number of passengers.
“Manually searching bags requires opening the bag in front of its owner as well as other passengers, something that might cause embarrassment to the person. The new system will ensure the privacy of inspection, as there will be no need to open the bag and check its content. X-ray screens are installed to read the images taken from inside the bag,” Bin Lahej added.
Talking about his innovation, AhmedA total of 68.9 million passengers had passed through Dubai InternationalShahdad, Inspection Manager at DXB Terminal 2 Passenger Operations Department, said his idea evolved during his over than 15 years of experience dealing with passengers at Dubai airports. It took two years for the idea to be executed, in which Shahdad faced many difficulties, but with persistence and the management’s encouragement, he was able to overcome these difficulties.
After a lot of research, Shahdad didn’t find any company or airport in the world that has a similar advanced system.
He expressed his happiness that his idea has finally seen light and will bring great benefits to the country. He also added that the idea is currently in the process of being patented by the competent authorities.
