Dubai Customs has reported a year-on-year growth rate of 3.1 per cent in the transactions processed through Q3 2015. Around 6.6 million transactions were carried out from January 1 to September 30, compared to 6.4 million in the same period of 2014.

The Customs transactions comprise 19 main services provided through 23 inland, sea and air port customs centres distributed all around the Emirate of Dubai. These transactions have been delivered through 6 channels, including Dubai Trade, B2G and mobile and smart phone applications.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World & Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, commented on these figures saying, "The growth in the number of transactions processed by Dubai Customs, despite the recession in world trade, is a positive indicator of the stability of our economy, under the leadership of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum."

He added that the surge in transactions is the result of the continued development and improvement strategy implemented by Dubai Customs. "We are keen on regularly assessing our performance across the board to ensure the delivery of superior services and facilitations to customers. The ultimate goal is to provide a real added value to the customers by enabling them to increase returns from their trading operations, promote Dubai's business and investment appeal, and maintain its competitive edge on the global trade landscape."

"Work at Dubai Customs continues non-stop 24/7, thanks to our 100 per cent smart services available on all smart platforms. Clients can now track their transactions anytime and anywhere, and submit requests and inquiries through smart apps," he said.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, said the mounting growth in the number of delivered transactions is a result of a comprehensive strategy that harnesses all resources and capabilities to serve DC's goals, in line with the vision of Dubai Government towards providing top-notch smart services and making customers happy.

"All the milestones we see here at Dubai Customs are the fruits of the continuous support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to steering the wheel of national economy and facilitating international trade," Ahmed Mahboob Musabih added.

Dubai Customs targets to deliver 80 per cent of transactions via smart applications by 2018, Musabih further noted.