Dubai Customs is investing heavily in homegrown talent through its Masar 33 initiative, a long-term leadership development programme designed to prepare national cadres for the future of global trade and customs.
The initiative, aligned with Dubai's D33 Economic Agenda, focuses on building operationally ready professionals across multiple career stages through a blend of applied training, on-the-job learning and academic study. Between 2023 and 2025, the programme qualified 102 customs leaders and graduated 31 participants from bachelor's and master's degree programmes in international trade, customs and logistics. Around 30 more are currently completing their studies.
Masar 33 draws on a network of academic and professional partners, including Dubai Logistics Academy and Nafis, alongside public and private sector collaborators, to deliver an education model grounded in global best practices.
Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, described the initiative as one of the organisation's most significant strategic investments in human capital.
"We are not building cadres for current roles alone — we are building leaders capable of leading the future, empowering others, and turning ambitions into lasting achievements,"
he said.
The programme's second phase, the Executive Leadership track, marks the next stage of that journey, focusing on preparing senior leaders with a comprehensive grasp of digital transformation, AI-driven supply chains and the evolving landscape of global commerce.
Dr. Busenad emphasised that Masar 33 goes beyond training.
"True investment is not in projects or technologies, but in the human being capable of turning vision into impact,"
he added, positioning the initiative as a cornerstone of Dubai's ambition to remain a leading global hub for trade and logistics.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
