The market, which is expected to post over Dh100 billion in sales through more than 30,000 transactions in first quarter, will sustain steady increase in transactions and prices throughout the year
A new smart customs route unveiled at Gitex Technology Week 2016 has interactive LED flooring that will guide inbound passengers entering the customs area to either go for luggage inspection by taking the red route or head towards the exit on the green route.
The cutting-edge project, the first of its kind in the world, is to significantly cut waiting time to zero, according to Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs.
The project is to streamline passengers flow and increase external and internal customers' satisfaction, he added. "The smart route will further improve the happiness meter and reflect the modern image of Dubai."
Abdullatif Al Rifai, a senior customs inspector, on Thursday, told Khaleej Times that the smart route has been entirely developed by Dubai Customs. "It took us three months to develop the new system."
"The smart customs route has been approved, and is to be implemented in all Dubai airports soon."
It is a big challenge to handle a big number of passengers up to more than 30,000 people every day. "With this route, which comprises sophisticated lights and sensors, passengers do not have to get in touch with customs inspectors."
The route is only for baggage and has nothing to do with handbags, Rifai pointed out. "All baggage go through an advanced sensors-based system which decided whether the passenger need to go to the red route for scanning or thorough inspection, for take the green route to exit without inspection."
The smart customs route is further interconnected with the Bags Smart Customs Inspection System, the first of its kind worldwide as well. "The locally-developed system is already in operation at Dubai airports."
Timely information about the passenger or their luggage is automatically displayed before the inspector, Musabih pointed out. "Thanks to this smart system suspicious bags are screened and inspected in no more than three minutes."
Dubai Customs is, meanwhile, holding an exhibition to raise awareness about endangered species, features mummies of animals which are at high risk of extinction.
"These mummies, which were confiscated at Dubai Customs checkpoints, are displayed in glass cases with a short description about the featured animal, highlighting its diminishing population worldwide."
The exhibit is in line with Dubai Customs' strategy to draw public attention to endangered species and ways to protect them. "DC is committed to implementing the Green Customs Initiative, rolled out by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2003, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)."
Environmental awareness campaigns carried out by Dubai Customs' CSR Section aim at educating the audience as to how to maintain ecological balance and their part in curbing illicit trade of endangered flora and fauna.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
The market, which is expected to post over Dh100 billion in sales through more than 30,000 transactions in first quarter, will sustain steady increase in transactions and prices throughout the year
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