Today's Edition
SAMI ABDUL RAOUF (DUBAI)
The Land Ports Passport Control Department at the Hatta Land Port of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) revealed that an unprecedented four million people transited through Hatta in 2023, including arrivals and departures.
This figure marks an all time high in the history of the port, reflecting the remarkable growth and boom in economic activity following the Dubai government’s interest in developing the Hatta region as a tourist and commercial destination and strengthening its position as a leading investment environment.
The port also recorded a significant increase in the transit traffic of trucks and commercial tankers.
Brigadier General Dr. Omar Ali Al Shamsi, Assistant Director General of Entry and Residency Permits Sector at GDRFA, confirmed in press statements that the Land Ports Passport Control Department is working to implement its development plans and programmes based on the principles of proactiveness, readiness, and innovation to enhance competitiveness and support government strategies and the region’s pioneering performance indicators.
Colonel Dr. Rashid Obaid Al Ketbi, Director of the Land Ports Passport Control Department, noted the department’s efforts to enhance interconnection and integration between all concerned parties to create effective partnerships in accordance with the principles of trust, mutual benefit, and continuous cooperation.
“In addition to our continuous research to employ the latest technology and digital empowerment in implementing our operations, we keep in mind that the most important element of the institutional system is our human capital, and we always strive to empower and motivate them to provide their best skills and abilities to achieve a balance between exceptional services, security, and safety in the country,” Al Ketbi added. He pointed out that the passage of four million people through the port is an unprecedented figure in the history of the Hatta land port compared to previous years.
‘’This achievement was the result of great efforts at all administrative and specialised levels, to achieve the ambitions of the UAE government and particularly the Emirate of Dubai. The port administration is committed to applying the best land port standards in clearing procedures for travel documents for those crossing the port in their various categories (commercial truck passengers, light vehicles, and other carriers), and is committed to providing the best services to travellers according to their needs, such as the elderly, people of determination, and the privacy of families, and various groups, including tourism, and Hajj and Umrah campaigns,’’ Al Ketbi said.
