Dubai Customs records 21.6% increase in transactions

According to annual figures released by the Statistics Department of Dubai World, the parent holding company of Dubai Customs, the number of bills processed during 2006 was 3.517million compared to 2.892millon in the year before.

The rate of increase is the highest recorded over more than five years.

The 21.6 percent increase achieved in 2006 is attributed to high standards of customer services provided by Dubai Customs, backed by the state-of-the-art computerization that has reduced processing time.

Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Director General, Dubai Customs, said: "Our performance during 2006 clearly indicates Dubai Customs' capability to cope with the steady commercial growth which Dubai has been witnessing for many years, and our ability to adapt to changing demands by investing in quality technical support, software up gradation and providing services of the highest standards in the maritime industry.

"We are continuously engaged in studying industry trends in order to prepare ourselves to meet the future requirements of our customers. Our Customs administration is technology-driven and we pursue a sophisticated Human Resources policy to recruit highly qualified and trained professionals."

Dubai Customs is built on the fundamental belief that its mandate goes beyond being a mere collector of import-export duty and inspector of cargo.

Since the 1990s it has played a key role as a facilitator of trade and commerce by introducing policies that are in line with Dubai's growth as the region's premier commercial hub.