His Excellency Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa attended the Customs Affairs celebration to mark the World Customs Day on Tuesday. The event was also attended by the Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, the Chief of Public Security, senior officials from ministries and other authorities concerned.
HE the Interior Minister appreciated the Customs Affairs for fulfilling its operational requirements and the latest developments in the sector. He said that the security system operated within integrated fields and the customs was one among them. He praised the dedication and performance of the Customs Affairs in effecting the changes and benefit from successful experiences.
He said that continuous development was needed in all organisations to cultivate confidence and sincerity that are clear in various sectors of the Interior Ministry.
Among the recent development procedures of the Customs Affairs are the reduction in the number of attachments for the Customs Statement, the introduction of an advanced X-ray screening system, completion of the requirements for the Value Added Tax and the pre-customs clearance process system, and the system of e-payment to facilitate the passenger traffic, develop trade and support economic growth. These development are part of the Customs Affairs Strategy 2017-20 to achieve the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.
At the event, Customs President Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa in a speech thanked HE the Interior Minister for his support and highlighted that the Customs Affairs, through its work in coordination with the authorities concerned, played a crucial role in facilitating trade and travel by simplifying and unifying procedures at customs ports and taking security steps at the borders.
The Customs President focused on the achievements of the Customs Affairs in 2018, including the election of Bahrain as the Deputy President of the World Customs Organisation for the Middle East, North Africa and Near East for the third time in a row. This showed Bahrain’s position at the international level and the role of the Customs Affairs in formulating the World Customs Organisation’s strategy.
HE the Interior Minister then honoured some organisations that work with the Customs Affairs as well as distinguished officers and commission officers. He praised their work and wished them the best. After that, he inaugurated the Customs Day Exhibition that showcased the main achievements and projects of the Customs Affairs.