Dubai Customs Launches Center of Excellence to Strengthen Global Trade Logistics
Dubai, UAE – In a significant move to bolster its status as a premier global hub for trade and supply chains, Dubai Customs has unveiled the Center of Excellence for Customs and Trade Logistics in partnership with the University of Dubai. This initiative aligns with Dubai’s ambitious vision to enhance its economic landscape and support the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy and solidify its position among the world’s leading commercial cities.
The establishment of this Center marks a pivotal development in Dubai Customs’ ongoing commitment to leveraging knowledge, research, and innovation. The goal is to create practical solutions that enhance trade efficiency, strengthen supply chain resilience, and elevate Dubai’s competitiveness on the global economic stage.
A World-Class Research and Development Center
The Center is designed to set new standards in customs and trade logistics. It will focus on developing policies and procedures, conducting evidence-based assessments, and engaging in applied research. These efforts aim to improve operational efficiency and enhance the customer experience.
Additionally, the Center will work on advancing trade logistics performance, increasing supply chain resilience, and strengthening digitally enabled customs systems. These initiatives will be in line with the frameworks and methodologies established by the World Customs Organization and international best practices.
A Strategic Hub for Global Academic Partnerships
The Center will serve as a leading platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in customs governance and logistics. Through its partnership with the University of Dubai, Dubai Customs plans to forge collaborations with distinguished universities and academic institutions worldwide. This network aims to develop policies and solutions that address emerging challenges in cross-border e-commerce, supply chain security, and sustainable logistics.
Notable academic partners include Kühne Logistics University, University of Adelaide, Infinite Sum Modelling, Michigan State University, and Henley Business School.
Towards a Regional and Global Hub for Innovation
Dubai Customs envisions the Center evolving into a regional and international reference point for knowledge and innovation in customs and trade logistics. By integrating academic research with practical applications, the Center aims to shape the future of digital trade systems.
The initiative will also encourage new ideas, empower young talent, and attract innovations from both Dubai Customs and the broader academic community. This approach will help cultivate a culture of institutional innovation and develop national capabilities to lead the future of the customs and logistics sector.
Busenad: A Strategic Investment in Dubai’s Future Readiness
Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, emphasized that the establishment of the Center represents a strategic commitment to enhancing Dubai’s leadership in the global trade ecosystem. He noted that the Center will facilitate the development of a more efficient and innovative customs and logistics system, supporting the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
He stated that the Center would serve as a model for knowledge exchange and collaboration through strategic partnerships with academic institutions. This collaboration aims to build sustainable research and development capabilities and elevate operational standards in accordance with international best practices.
Dr. Busenad highlighted the Center’s role in developing and evaluating policies and procedures using evidence-based methodologies. This will help accelerate trade and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global commerce gateway. He also pointed out that the Center is a key element of Dubai Customs’ strategic plan, enabling the emirate to adapt to the rapid transformations in global trade.
Al Bastaki: Bridging Knowledge and Practice
Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai, remarked that the Center of Excellence acts as a vital bridge between academic knowledge and operational practice. By merging Dubai Customs’ expertise in trade facilitation with the University of Dubai’s academic strengths, the partnership aims to produce impactful research and innovative solutions that will shape the future of global trade and customs governance.
He added that this collaboration reflects Dubai’s ambition to lead the development of smarter, more resilient, and sustainable trade ecosystems powered by knowledge and digital technologies.
Innovation Hackathon to Shape the Future of Trade Logistics
As part of the Center’s launch, an innovation hackathon is being organized in collaboration with the University of Dubai, featuring 33 teams comprising 110 students. Each team, consisting of three to four members, will work on developing innovative solutions to challenges in trade, customs services, and logistics.
The hackathon will unfold in two main stages. The first stage includes brainstorming sessions, solution development, and preliminary presentations before judging panels. The top-performing teams will advance to the final stage to present their refined solutions to a panel of experts from Dubai Customs.
Participating projects will focus on several strategic themes, including the application of artificial intelligence to enhance inspection and customs clearance processes, improving supply chain resilience and trade sustainability, and developing future skills in the logistics sector. Entries will be assessed based on innovation, presentation quality, clarity of concept, feasibility, expected impact, and alignment with identified challenges.
This initiative underscores Dubai Customs’ commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and attracting ideas that can shape the future of global trade.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-05-21 19:10:00 • By the Editorial Desk
