According to the latest estimates, Dubai Customs completed 5 million payments in the Q1 of this year. This is more than double the volume of transactions completed in the same timeframe in pre-pandemic 2019, and 20% more than the 4 million transactions completed in Q1 2020.

“Following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, we will aim new international markets and attract more foreign investments to achieve Dubai's vision of growing trade to 2 trillion dollars over the next five years,” said Abdullah Mohammed Al Khaja, Executive Director of Clients Management Division.

“We will actively engage in accomplishing the targets of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2030 by expanding on what has already been accomplished in the emirate, which transformed it into a global and regional hub for trade and tourism,” he added. The first-quarter figures are extremely encouraging, indicating not only a rapid recovery from the pandemic but also exceptional development. This year's economic growth is predicted to be 4%.”

From 3.4 million in Q1 2020 to 4.47 million in Q1 2021 (an average of 50,000 declarations per day), customs statements increased by 24%. Payment applications came in second place with 238,400 applications, followed by certificate and report applications with 141,800 requests. The service for booking inspection dates received 76,700 requests, and the service for company registration received 59,600 requests.

“This notable rise in the number of customs transactions represents the economy's capacity and efficiency,” he said. It is the culmination of Dubai Customs' hard work and years of experience in creating smart services. Our services have become more structured and digitalized as time goes on. In Q1 2021, smart networks completed 99.6% of the total 5 million transactions, with 67.2 % accomplished through smart channels (3.4 million transactions), 32.3 % accomplished through electronic systems (1.6 million transactions), and only 23,500 transactions completed through counters.”

“We operated together with all parties, including the private industry, and we were able to resolve the challenges faced by the pandemic last year,” Al Khaja continued. We are hopeful that the economy will continue to grow, particularly because Dubai is hosting EXPO 2020 this year.”

Dubai Customs approved designated car agencies to register their automobiles to strengthen partnerships with the private sector and stimulate business activities. In collaboration with the Federal Customs Authority and the World Customs Organisation, Dubai Customs is hosting the 5th WCO Global AEO Conference (25th-27th May 2021).

The meeting will focus on trade prospects and various methods and paths for expanding trade. The event will bring together over 1,500 trade and industry experts.

JAFZA, Dubai South, and DAFZA have recently agreed with Dubai Customs to encourage them to take advantage of all the services and benefits offered by Dubai Customs through its cross-border e-commerce platform. Dubai's location on the international digital commerce map will also improve. In a recent virtual meeting with Saudi Customs officials, Dubai Customs highlighted its expertise in creating groundbreaking customs systems and services.

Bandar Al Balawi and Abdul Rahman Khalaf of the Saudi Customs Technology Department, Ibrahim Al Shaia of the Security Affairs Department, and Musaid Al Sudairi of the Revenue Department all joined the meeting Falah Khalil Al Sammak, Senior Manager of DXB Terminal 2, greeted the Saudi delegates and stated that the customs relationships with Saudi Customs are critical in promoting regional and global trade. He mentioned some of Dubai Customs' ventures and applications, including the iDeclare.

Passengers entering Dubai can use the mobile app to safely file Customs clearance electronically, evading the existing paperwork. It makes the Customs clearance procedure smoother for passengers by allowing them to self-declare their must-declare consumer items personal belongings, or cash before or after arriving at the airport, sparing them time and effort. Al Sammak also discussed the Al Kashif Buggy, which is designed to prevent all forms of trafficking, and the Smart Inspection Table, which has an integrated tracking and inspection reporting system.

The Saudi delegates praised Dubai Customs' advanced level of the rollout of advanced technology and applications at the end of the conference, voicing interest in a more fruitful collaboration.