Encode Tech has been recognised at the 2025 Middle East Technology Excellence Awards, taking home the Smart City – Security & Safety Award for its Tawash platform. The Dubai-based solution was highlighted for its role in monitoring and securing high-value goods transfers across the city.
Why smart city security matters
Dubai is one of the world’s busiest trade hubs for gold and jewellery. According to the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the UAE recorded over USD 129 billion in gold trade in 2023, up 36 per cent on the previous year. Moving such assets safely has long been a challenge, with risks ranging from unauthorised diversions to compliance failures. As the city positions itself as a global smart hub, real-time monitoring and secure logistics are becoming central to its growth strategy.
The tech behind Tawash
Tawash is designed as a real-time location intelligence and compliance system for the transfer of gold, jewellery, and currency. Using geofencing, the platform tracks authorised routes and flags deviations instantly. It is tied to certified security bags and accredited staff, giving regulators and operators live oversight of every journey from start to finish.
Encode Tech says the platform has delivered measurable results, reporting 40 per cent faster transfer completion and a 65 per cent drop in unauthorised diversions. These performance figures are company claims, not independently audited.
Partnership and oversight
A central feature of Tawash is its development in partnership with Dubai’s Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA). By working directly with the regulator, Encode Tech has ensured the platform is aligned with compliance standards and integrated into the city’s wider security framework.
This partnership does more than validate the technology. It illustrates how Dubai is embedding innovation into its governance structures, making surveillance and compliance tools part of official oversight. The collaboration also raises a broader point: in smart cities, the line between private technology and public regulation is increasingly blurred. While it builds trust in high-value sectors, it also extends the role of monitoring into everyday commercial operations.
What comes next
Encode Tech’s award win highlights a broader shift in how Dubai manages its role as a global trading hub. By fusing private innovation with state oversight, the city is building systems that protect high-value commerce while reinforcing regulatory control.
The success of Tawash will be measured less by trophies and more by adoption. If its promised gains in speed and security hold up at scale, Dubai could set a template for how Gulf cities balance innovation, compliance, and trust in the smart economy.
