Dubai Customs wins first prize for Dubai Government Websites’ Policies

Dubai Customs has secured top rankings in the quality evaluation results of Dubai Government Entities’ Websites for 2012-2013, which further enhanced its success in the development of IT applications.  According to the evaluation’s results, the website of Dubai Customs won consecutive first place, with a score of 100% for the policies’ component. The website ranked second for the usability and design component , with an average score of 92%. Overall, Dubai Customs ranked second in the general assessment of governmental websites, with a total average of 91%. This mark surpassed the general average of 78% in the evaluation of all websites related to 24 governmental agencies.

The quality evaluation results are part of  Dubai Smart Government’s (DSG) regular assessment of  governmental websites in order to ensure they are high-quality and in compliance with international standards. This comes in line with DSG’s emphasis on continual development of government websites, in light of the growing importance of these websites in improving the satisfaction of government services users.

The evaluation includes four components: accessibility to the website, usability and design, content, and policies. It reflects the extent of site’s adoption of clear and unconfused policies which address all issues related to data protection, accessibility, and accountability.

It is worth mentioning that the quality evaluation applied to  Dubai governmental agencies’ websites in 2012/2013 is the first evaluation prepared according to the guidelines of governmental websites excellence module issued by the DSG in 2011. The results of the evaluation are considered an accredited reference for later comparisons with the next biennial evaluations of Dubai governmental websites.

Mr. Juma Al Ghaith, Executive Director of Customs Development Division at Dubai Customs, explained the significance of the top ranking: "Dubai Customs classification in the second rank in the quality evaluation of Dubai governmental entities’ websites in 2012/2013 encourages us to work for the continuous development of the website, being the most important communication channel with customers and the public in general. We seek to achieve highest levels of quality in the website to reflect Dubai Customs’ corporate identity, under the general electronic identity of Dubai Government. Meanwhile, the website provides all needs of the customers quickly and efficiently in order to achieve our comprehensive strategy aiming at providing the highest standard of IT applications usage to facilitate trade in Dubai, as well as maintain the security, health, and economy of the community."

Al Ghaith added: “We continue to develop the website in order to comply with the upcoming stage of electronic applications generalization through the implementation of the Smart Government Initiative, launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Currently, the electronic applications of all Dubai Customs services are now available on the website, in addition to the facilitated access of all users in general to complete information.”

For the past several years, Dubai Customs has paid great attention to the development of IT applications. It has successfully launched the internally developed Risk Engine, which is an early alarm system which allows the user to identify the potential risks of shipments early on, thereby facilitating the clearance of safe shipments without delay. It also contributes to the execution of the other consignments inspection process within a short time. The project received the DGEP award for the distinguished technological project 2012. Dubai Customs has also completed its on-going development operations of IT services. It has recently launched the new inspection system based on prescheduling inspection dates in order to save the customers time and effort and to reduce the cost of their trade operations.

The World Customs Organization's COLUMBUS Diagnostic Mission Report praised Dubai Customs' experience at improving the usage of IT applications in order to provide quality services to the customers. The report considered Dubai Customs a model for customs work, and called upon other customs authorities and organizations around the world to learn from it.