Emirates Group Security inaugurated their new headquarters and flagship facility for valuables processing in the Dubai Airport Free Zone.
The Dhs 50 million building was officially inaugurated by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group. Business partners and VIP guests from the banking, security and valuables trading community also attended the ceremony and gala celebrations.
The new purpose-built headquarters for Emirates Group Security and its Transguard business divisions, is a one-stop centre designed to efficiently and securely handle valuables and vulnerable cargo for commercial and international shipping.
Sheikh Ahmed said: “This new facility will boost Transguard’s and Emirates Group Security’s capabilities, and enhance their leadership position in the security solutions industry. The advanced infrastructure will also play a key role in fulfilling Dubai’s vision to become a premier trading and shipping centre for valuables and gold. We look forward to providing shippers and traders of valuable cargo with the best quality services, and a convenient, secure environment in which to trade and process their cargo.”
The new building is fully-equipped to handle valuable goods and vulnerable goods such as computer chips, mobile phones, and pharmaceuticals – allowing such cargo to be speedily processed. Cash can be securely packed and efficiently shipped around the world, making it a boon for banking and security exchanges. Abdulla Al Hashimi, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Group Security and Transguard, said: “Valuables, like perishables, are a ‘must go’ item. Perishables can spoil if left unprocessed for an extra day, and similarly a shipment of cash or gold can experience volatile changes in value over a day. So seamless and secure handling is critical.”
Other key features and
facilities
• The Control Centre – Employing the latest technologies, the control centre is the centre of communications from which the security team monitors all facilities of the Emirates Group, track Transguard vehicles by Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), and access international information systems via the internet.
• ATM cash processing facility – The facility will house the largest cash processing machine in the region, with high-tech connections that monitor the cash levels in over 620 ATM machines across the UAE, allowing the team to coordinate the reconciliation and replenishment of machines. The unit is supported with a fleet of 110 armoured vehicles.
• Direct access to and from air gate bays – cash processing with packing facilities, secure vaults for transit or long-term storage.
• Integrated handling – Ground Handling Agents and the regulatory agencies such as customs and police, will be integrated within the facility.
• Round-the-clock security – The building is completely monitored by state-of-the art security systems, CCTV surveillance, and will be guarded on a 24-hour basis.
The building is already certified by TAPA (The Technical Asset Protection Association), making it the first TAPA-certified valuable handling warehouse in the Middle East. Emirates Group Security and Transguard’s administrative functions have already relocated to the new building, and the facility is expected to commence full operations as a valuables and vulnerable cargo handling hub in April.