Dubai: Dubai Customs inaugurated a number of new innovative projects to mark the week of innovation in Dubai, which kicked off in the Emirate on Thursday.

The entity’s main building saw the launch of the ‘Innovation Oasis’ and the opening of its childcare centre in a new design under the theme ‘Buds of the Future’, including the launch of digital applications around children stories among other projects.

The Innovation Oasis was launched as a platform for employees to exchange ideas and solutions in an exceptional interactive virtual reality work environment, officials said on Thursday.

During the launch, Sultan Bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, who is also Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), reviewed the new initiatives and invited all departments to benefit from them.

“Engaging employees in the innovation journey is essential. They are the backbone of this innovation journey. It’s also important for us to share our experience with our stakeholders. The UAE Innovation Month is a golden opportunity for us to spread a culture of innovation to facilitate transition into a knowledge-based economy as a prerequisite of leading initiatives such as the UAE Centennial Plan 2071 and Dubai 10X,” he said.

He also encouraged customs inspectors to continually develop their potential and hone their skills whilst adopting the latest tools and technologies in their work.

Dubai Customs announced that it will also launch a photo gallery that will be hosted by different customs centres in the airports, free zones and land entry points. The gallery will showcase the in-house innovations such as a four-dimensional inspection device, an inspection buggy dedicated to help people of determination, an amphibious inspection buggy, a mobile inspection lab, a remote integrated container inspection system, a smart inspection system in the airports, a customs clearance buggy, and a robotic inspection system for ladies.

Another iniatiative being launched during the event is the News Wallet, which helps regulate and ease flow of PCFC news to the media. All PCFC entities can update information about their latest projects and initiatives on the News Wallet, which will in turn help in shedding more light on the role PCFC plays to sustain growth and support the national economy.