Dubai Customs clinches UAE Ideas 2014 Award for Innovation

Dubai Customs has clinched the UAE Ideas 2014 Award for Innovation, a newly-introduced category to the award.

Held at the Palace Hotel in Dubai, the UAE Ideas Conference and Awards was organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO and Chairman of the Emirates Group, and the honorary sponsor of Dubai Quality Group. The award was presented to Al Kashif Vehicle, the first of its kind in the world.

Al Kashif is an eco-friendly commutable vehicle fully geared up with 16 high-tech inspection and detection devices, each of which designated for certain types of contraband. The vehicle, deployed in airports, has been developed in-house with the efforts of national staff from within DC. The invention has notably increased the volume of seized narcotics and restricted medications; allowing inspectors to assess suspected items on the spot.

Ahmed Abdulsalam Kazim, Director of Strategy and Corporate Excellence at Dubai Customs, commented this achievement, saying: “Al Kashif Vehicle has bagged yet another prestigious accolade, to be added to Dubai Customs’ long list of recognitions in keeping pace with technological developments and devising new world-class customs solutions to ease processes and enhance customs services, in line with the governmental drive towards innovation and creativity.”

On his part, the Director of Passenger Operations Department at Dubai Customs, Ahmed bin Lahej, said: “Al Kashif was developed in response to the call made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to enhance government services. Innovative ideas are embraced by DC’s senior management, led by Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, who extends unlimited support and closely pursues employees’ achievements for the best interest of work and the public.”

Bin Lahej further noted that deploying Al Kashif at airport terminals has increased seizures of prohibited and restricted materials and reduced the overcrowding of passengers waiting for test results of medications found in their possession.