External trade through Dubai Creek at Dhs14.54b in 2018

In 2018, Dubai external trade through the Dubai Creek made Dhs14.54 billion (Dhs13 billion in re-exports, Dhs1.246 billion in exports, and Dhs328 billion in imports), according to Dubai Customs chief.

Dubai Customs always provides support to the maritime sector towards a more diversified economy in line with the Dubai Plan 2021. This helps in facilitating trade in different ports including Dubai Creek, which may not be the city’s most important trading port anymore but it will always be a very important route of trade for dhows at the heart of Dubai.

During his visit to the Coastal Customs Centers Management, Director of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, highlighted the very important role Dubai Creek plays in the city’s diversified trade and is still shaping the very soul of Dubai, now running freely through the veins of the city, keeping alive its vibrant heartbeat, linking the sea back to the sea.

For centuries, Dubai Creek was the link between Dubai and the outside world. As the city changes so rapidly that it can be difficult to keep up, the port plays an important role in bridging past and present. Yet, remarkably, it still makes its living as a key part of Dubai’s import-export trade.

Dubai Customs is active in the Creek through its Coastal Customs Centres Management which operates Maritime Creek Operations, Deira Wharfage, Dubai Creek Customer Centre. The Management has dealt with the traffic of 15,603 incoming and outgoing vessels in 2018 Dubai external trade through the creek made Dhs14.54 billion (Dhs13 billion in re-exports, Dhs1.246 billion in exports, and Dhs328 billion in imports).

During his evening tour to the Deira Wharfage Centre, Director of Dubai Customs Ahmed Mahboob Musabih confirmed that Dubai Creek and Deira Wharfage have a capacity to handle vessels of different sizes. The biggest can weight up to 3,000 tonnes.

“Dubai Creek is a very important trading port and for that we help in enhancing and facilitating trade through it,» Musabih said. “This will lead to better investment opportunities in fulfilment of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai of turning Dubai into an economic capital as listed in the 3rd principle, of the eight principles of Dubai.»

The Dubai Customs maintained its position as a progressive government department which plays an important role in supporting sustainable economic growth in line with the eight principles of Dubai announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

These principles will help the three sectors: government, semi-government, and private, to work together and integrate for more opportunities in growth and investments.

Commenting on Dubai Customs’ achievements, Sultan Bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said, “Customs convoyed Dubai in its development and progress trend in 2018, and supported the emirate by creating new economic sectors and providing jobs. They enhanced their services in support of digital trade and small and medium enterprises to empower investors and traders to expand their businesses. Following the 50-year charter, Dubai will establish the first virtual commercial zone in the world and Dubai Silk Road, among other leading projects in the pipeline. We are hosting EXPO 2020 and this urges us to work even harder and further develop our services to clients.”

Dubai Customs recently earned a new international award in innovation. Its Enterprise Architecture, which was developed in-house, won the President’s Award – Service Delivery and Automation at the Open Group Innovation and Excellence conference, held in the Indian city Kochi this February. It is a prestigious event organized with a motivation to provide an excellent international platform for innovators and global experts to exchange and share their ideas and insights.

Various business and innovation leaders from around the globe participated in the conference. The best practices in enterprise architecture, IT, digital transformation, risk management and international supply chain were the main topics at the conference.

Director of Dubai Customs, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih applauded the achievement and thanked the team at the Customs Development Division and the Service Innovation Department for their dedication and hard work.

“These recognitions are the fruit of our teams’ relentless efforts and work towards the realization of our vision as a leading customs organization. The Enterprise Architecture has streamlined the procedures and led to more client satisfaction. We hit a record in client happiness topping the happiness meter with 97.45% thanks to our advanced systems and products which employ artificial intelligence and smart applications” says Musabih.

On his part, Juma Al Ghaith, Executive Director of Customs Development Division at Dubai Customs touched on the latest advancements that led to the development of the Enterprise Architecture.

Agencies