In a significant international recognition of Dubai Customs’ efforts in empowering women and fostering innovation, Eman Badr Al Suwaidi, Director of the Clients Happiness Department and Head of the Authorized Economic Operator Program, was awarded the Harvard Business Awards Council (HBC) honor and gold medal at a prestigious ceremony in London.
Held at the historic Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), the awards ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements in innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Al Suwaidi was recognized for her transformative role in advancing inclusive leadership, enhancing customer experiences, and spearheading innovative solutions within Dubai Customs.
Her initiatives have streamlined customs procedures, improved operational efficiency, and contributed to higher satisfaction levels among stakeholders—solidifying Dubai Customs’ position as a global model for smart and sustainable governance.
“Female talent at Dubai Customs is fully supported by senior leadership. Emirati women are playing a vital role in the UAE’s economic journey, and I am proud to contribute to this national mission,” said Al Suwaidi. She also expressed her pride in receiving this global honor and credited the organization’s supportive culture for enabling professional growth and leadership opportunities for Emirati women.
This year’s HBC Awards event unveiled a new global model for Intelligent Sustainable Excellence (ISE) and honored 63 winners across 30 categories, selected from more than 4,000 nominations. Over 5,500 hours of evaluations were conducted to assess excellence in fields such as artificial intelligence integration, sustainability, and institutional innovation.
Dubai Customs’ success at the HBC Awards highlights the department’s ongoing commitment to inclusive leadership, digital transformation, and public service innovation. By investing in Emirati professionals and future-ready solutions, Dubai Customs continues to set global benchmarks in trade facilitation and governance.
This accolade further reinforces the UAE’s broader national agenda of empowering women, fostering innovation, and building high-impact institutions rooted in excellence, sustainability, and equality.