Dubai Customs has clinched the U.A.E. Ideas 2014 Award for Innovation, a newly-introduced category to the award.
Held at the Palace Hotel in Dubai, the U.A.E. Ideas Conference and Awards was organised under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of 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 is designated for certain types of contraband. The vehicle, deployed at 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 suspect items on the spot.
Ahmed Abdulsalam Kazim, Director of Strategy and Corporate Excellence at Dubai Customs, commented on this achievement, saying, "Al Kashif Vehicle has bagged yet another prestigious accolade to be added to Dubai Customs' long list of recognition 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." The Director of Passenger Operations Department at Dubai Customs, Ahmed bin Lahej, said, "Al Kashif was developed in response to the call made by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 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 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.