Business & Money | Sunday 22 March, 2015 12:43 am |

In line with its commitment to apply advanced solutions and transform into a smart city,

The Logistics District at Dubai World Central announced the launch of a modern electronic system that regulates the process of issuing entry permits of local goods to the free zone and reduces the time necessary to issue these permits.
The activation of the new system comes in line with DWC’s commitment to applying smart solutions across all of its districts, corresponding to Dubai’s strategy which was launched last year by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a smart city.
DWC’s Logistics District is the first free zone in Dubai to invest time and money in developing such a smart system, in cooperation with Dubai Customs and Dubai Trade and exploring customers’ feedback to learn their needs and determine the best new technologies that will enhance the efficiency and speed in issuing permits for the entry, storage and exit of local goods to and from the free zone.
"We are proud to be the first free zone to launch this advanced electronic system and contribute to the transformation of Dubai into a smart city. We extend our gratitude to Dubai Customs and Dubai Trade for their valuable contribution and active role in the success of this new smart system that provides a range of electronic services through an integrated and user-friendly website designed to facilitate a smooth flow of transactions, meet all customer requirements and achieve optimum customer satisfaction," said Mohsen Ahmad, Vice President of the Logistics District at DWC.
"There were some issues in controlling and following-up on the entry, storage and exit of goods to and from the free zone. Now, the new smart system offers unprecedented smoothness in the inventory and monitoring of goods electronically and the ease of issuing entry permits online around the clock. To enter the free zone, customers need only to present the number of the entry permit they get when registering online," Ahmad added.
Abdullah Mohammed Al Khaja, Executive Director of Clients Management Division at Dubai Customs, said: "We are delighted to cooperate with DWC in launching this new smart system that will provide us with more control over local goods entering the free zone for temporary storage, assembly, distribution or re-export. The system will also simplify the process of issuing entry permits, avoiding the possible loss of the necessary documents or entry permits, which used to be issued manually.”
Al Khaja stressed that Dubai Customs is keen on strengthening ties of partnership and cooperation with all its strategic partners, in line with government initiatives, including the strategy to make Dubai the world’s smartest city, which was launched a year ago by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
As part of its efforts towards achieving the goal of transforming Dubai World Central into a smart and sustainable city, DWC is committed to strengthening ties of cooperation with government entities, especially in designing and developing services and electronic systems that aim to keep up with the growing demand from customers and government stakeholders for modern technologies and smart solutions.

About Dubai World Central (DWC)
Dubai World Central is a purpose-built, master-planned city around the Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA), the largest airport in the world when complete. Covering an area of approximately 145 square kilometers, DWC is a self-sustained ecosystem that seamlessly integrates this global trade, business, logistics and aviation hub with a smart and sustainable urban city development. DWC is designed to provide unmatched connectivity, speed and efficiency for sea-to-air and air-to-sea cargo. It will also ultimately support a population of 1million and host residential, retail, healthcare, education and hospitality sectors. DWC is emerging as a preeminent global destination and is now home to the World Expo 2020.