Latest news with #Akalik
Qatar Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Cooperation with Qatar in customs field enhances economic security: Jordanian Customs director-general
AMMAN: Director-General of Jordanian Customs Maj Gen Ahmad Akalik has praised the partnership with the General Authority of Customs describing it as exemplary and a model to follow in the field of Arab customs integration. In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Director-General of Jordanian Customs said that the cooperation between Jordan and Qatar in the customs field reflects a shared commitment to modernizing performance and enhancing the efficiency of the customs system in a way that supports development and strengthens economic security. He explained that the relationship with the State of Qatar's General Authority of Customs is based on the actual exchange of expertise and direct insight into smart and modern work systems. He affirmed that the General Authority of Customs has demonstrated advanced readiness in adopting technological solutions that contribute to reducing customs clearance time to just a few minutes. Akalik noted that Jordan Customs has benefited from the Qatari experience in several areas such as electronic tracking, automation of procedures, risk management, and streamlining the movement of goods. He confirmed that this cooperation has helped Jordan prepare to adopt new operational models that align with international standards. Jordan's Customs Department is currently working on a comprehensive customs system project that will bring all customs operations under one electronic umbrella, based on the global 'ASYCUDA'system. He underlined that the project has entered the procedure-mapping phase to unify work mechanisms across various crossings, including Jaber, Al-Omari, Al-Karama, and others, aiming to eliminate redundancies and create a unified smart customs environment. He affirmed that the system will also integrate with the human resources system, granting employees their authorities based on tasks rather than geographic location, which enhances discipline and reduces waste in resource allocation. Regarding the new customs law in Jordan, Akalik explained that it is considered a modern law built on three main pillars: the first is activating post-clearance audit instead of border inspection, which facilitates trade and reduces pressure on border crossings; the second is unifying regulatory bodies under the umbrella of the Customs Department to simplify procedures; and the third is formally integrating technology into the customs process, allowing stakeholders to remotely monitor inspection processes. He added that the new law has resolved many contentious issues such as value assessment and the timing of goods seizure. He noted that the law was the result of national dialogue with various partners and was smoothly passed through the countryط·s legislative institutions. In terms of facilitation, he revealed that the department launched a pre-clearance system for goods at the beginning of June, based on a trader's declaration, with subsequent audits conducted under a smart risk system. This significantly reduces time and effort at border crossings, he added. The system will initially be applied to compliant companies on the silver list, with continuous evaluation for broader implementation, he said, affirming that the project will lead to a major reduction in customs clearance times and enhance competitiveness. Regarding e-commerce, the Director-General of Jordanian Customs said that Jordan's e-commerce center is among the first specialized centers in the region and has recently handled over 1 million bills of lading. He pointed out that Customs is working to strike a balance between e-commerce and traditional trade in cooperation with the Jordan Chamber of Commerce.
Arab News
10-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Jordan's foreign reserves surges 18.45% in March
RIYADH: Jordan's foreign reserves rose by 18.45 percent year on year in March, reaching $20.02 billion—enough to cover 8.5 months of the country's imports of goods and services, according to official data. Released by the Central Bank of Jordan, the data 'reflects the country's stable external financial position,' the Jordan News Agency reported. This aligns with S&P Global's decision in September to upgrade Jordan's long-term foreign and local currency ratings to 'B+' from 'BB-.' The agency also reaffirmed its 'B' short-term ratings and raised its transfer and convertibility assessment from 'BB' to 'BB+.' S&P noted at the time that Jordan's structural economic improvements are expected to remain resilient, despite regional pressures. The agency also indicated at the time that Jordan is well-positioned to leverage international support and has sufficient domestic policy buffers to mitigate impacts from regional conflicts on tourism and the broader economy. Tariff items exemptions Up to 91 percent of tariff items enjoy full or partial exemptions under Jordan's policy of promoting investment and supporting production, according to the Customs Department Director General. In his remarks to the Jordan News Agency, Ahmed Akalik explained that the exemptions cover various items under international agreements, local decisions, or investment incentives, with the largest waivers to raw materials. He highlighted that just 9 percent of items are subject to duties between 0 and 25 percent, depending on the commodity type, and that domestic exports are completely duty-free. Akalik went on to note that the department processed over 950,000 customs declarations in 2024, underscoring the need for new strategies to improve efficiency and transparency, in alignment with King Abdullah's vision to enhance government performance and empower the private sector. Arab Fund plans $750m for Jordan The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development plans to allocate approximately $750 million to Jordanian projects in the coming years, leveraging partnerships with international and regional institutions such as the World Bank and the European Investment Bank. A major focus will be the National Water Carrier project, designed to transport desalinated water from Aqaba to Amman, tackling significant water shortages. The fund will prioritize sustainable energy initiatives such as solar and wind power to address Jordan's increasing energy needs. Plans also include investments in education and healthcare infrastructure, such as building new schools and developing hospitals. AFESD plans to promote regional economic integration, establishing Jordan as a key hub in the energy, healthcare, and education industries. The strategy will emphasize job creation, youth empowerment, and gender equality.
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: JCD processes over 950,000 customs declarations in 2024 — Director-general
AMMAN: Faced with a 'record-breaking' volume of customs activity, Jordan Customs Department (JCD) is undergoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and investor confidence, JCD Director-General Maj. Gen. Ahmad Akalik said on Wednesday. Speaking at a government communications forum titled "Achievements of the Jordan Customs Department", Akalik said that the department processed more than 950,000 customs declarations in 2024, figures he described as a "compelling reason" to adopt new working methods in line with the best global practices and digital transformation. "These changes are not cosmetic. They reflect His Majesty King Abdullah's vision to modernise public services and empower the private sector," he said as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. Akalik revealed that 91 per cent of tariff lines are fully or partially exempted from customs duties, mainly raw materials that are essential for local production, noting that only 9 per cent of items are subject to tariffs ranging from 0 to 25 per cent, and national exports are completely exempted. "These exemptions aim at reducing production costs, increasing competitiveness and creating a more attractive environment for local and foreign investment," he said, stressing that the remaining tariffs are structured to protect domestic industries. He also highlighted that the JCD continues to regularly review its policies to align them with national development goals, highlighting that the reforms are part of a broader economic modernisation drive aimed at positioning Jordan as a 'productive, export-oriented' economy. Addressing speculation about the reopening of the Ramtha customs centre, Akalik pointed out that any decision would have to be coordinated with Syrian authorities and that the issue was not currently under consideration. He also noted that the old Amman Customs Centre has not been completely vacated, with some departments, such as foreign vehicle registration and customs licensing, still operating on site. Highlighting the department's efforts to banking on infrastructure upgrades and technological innovation to cement Jordan's position as a regional logistics hub, he said that the new Amman Customs Centre in Madouneh, which covers 950 dunums, can accommodate inspections of up to 192 trucks at a time and features 'state-of-the-art' AI-driven systems. Akalik added that the changes will also benefit Jordan's development and industrial zones, whose products will now be treated as national goods, simplifying market access and reducing logistical bottlenecks. Among the most significant reforms are amendments to the Customs Law, which will shift from a pre-clearance inspection model to post-clearance audits, the director-general said. This shift will allow compliant traders to obtain immediate release of goods while preserving the authority of the department to verify documentation at a later date, a move Akalik described as a "game changer" for trade facilitation. The department is also using artificial intelligence to improve risk management, analyse data and replace manual inspections with remote monitoring systems, he said. According to Akalik, this move is crucial to improving transparency and closing the door to fraud and manipulation. Noting that the JCD has already received international recognition for its efforts, he said that the department won the King Abdullah II Excellence Award for e-services, and the World Customs Organisation has adopted its model as a global reference. Despite the progress, Akalik acknowledged that one of the biggest challenges is changing the culture around customs operations within the department and among stakeholders. He noted that to address this, the department plans to launch public awareness campaigns to explain the benefits of the new systems. Supporting the department's vision, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Government Communications Zaid Nawaisah said that the JCD has emerged as a national leader in streamlining trade, stimulating the economy and promoting a fair business environment. "The ministry has a critical role to play in highlighting these successes and building public confidence in government institutions," Nawaisah added. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
09-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
JCD processes over 950,000 customs declarations in 2024 — Director-general
Jordan Customs Department Director-General Maj. Gen. Ahmad Akalik says that 91 per cent of tariff lines are fully or partially exempted from customs duties, mainly raw materials that are essential for local production (Petra photo) AMMAN — Faced with a 'record-breaking' volume of customs activity, Jordan Customs Department (JCD) is undergoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and investor confidence, JCD Director-General Maj. Gen. Ahmad Akalik said on Wednesday. Speaking at a government communications forum titled "Achievements of the Jordan Customs Department", Akalik said that the department processed more than 950,000 customs declarations in 2024, figures he described as a "compelling reason" to adopt new working methods in line with the best global practices and digital transformation. "These changes are not cosmetic. They reflect His Majesty King Abdullah's vision to modernise public services and empower the private sector," he said as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. Akalik revealed that 91 per cent of tariff lines are fully or partially exempted from customs duties, mainly raw materials that are essential for local production, noting that only 9 per cent of items are subject to tariffs ranging from 0 to 25 per cent, and national exports are completely exempted. "These exemptions aim at reducing production costs, increasing competitiveness and creating a more attractive environment for local and foreign investment," he said, stressing that the remaining tariffs are structured to protect domestic industries. He also highlighted that the JCD continues to regularly review its policies to align them with national development goals, highlighting that the reforms are part of a broader economic modernisation drive aimed at positioning Jordan as a 'productive, export-oriented' economy. Addressing speculation about the reopening of the Ramtha customs centre, Akalik pointed out that any decision would have to be coordinated with Syrian authorities and that the issue was not currently under consideration. He also noted that the old Amman Customs Centre has not been completely vacated, with some departments, such as foreign vehicle registration and customs licensing, still operating on site. Highlighting the department's efforts to banking on infrastructure upgrades and technological innovation to cement Jordan's position as a regional logistics hub, he said that the new Amman Customs Centre in Madouneh, which covers 950 dunums, can accommodate inspections of up to 192 trucks at a time and features 'state-of-the-art' AI-driven systems. Akalik added that the changes will also benefit Jordan's development and industrial zones, whose products will now be treated as national goods, simplifying market access and reducing logistical bottlenecks. Among the most significant reforms are amendments to the Customs Law, which will shift from a pre-clearance inspection model to post-clearance audits, the director-general said. This shift will allow compliant traders to obtain immediate release of goods while preserving the authority of the department to verify documentation at a later date, a move Akalik described as a "game changer" for trade facilitation. The department is also using artificial intelligence to improve risk management, analyse data and replace manual inspections with remote monitoring systems, he said. According to Akalik, this move is crucial to improving transparency and closing the door to fraud and manipulation. Noting that the JCD has already received international recognition for its efforts, he said that the department won the King Abdullah II Excellence Award for e-services, and the World Customs Organisation has adopted its model as a global reference. Despite the progress, Akalik acknowledged that one of the biggest challenges is changing the culture around customs operations within the department and among stakeholders. He noted that to address this, the department plans to launch public awareness campaigns to explain the benefits of the new systems. Supporting the department's vision, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Government Communications Zaid Nawaisah said that the JCD has emerged as a national leader in streamlining trade, stimulating the economy and promoting a fair business environment. "The ministry has a critical role to play in highlighting these successes and building public confidence in government institutions," Nawaisah added.
Ammon
09-04-2025
- Business
- Ammon
New Amman Customs Center inspects 192 trucks daily, Customs Director says
Ammon News - Director-General of Jordanian Customs, Ahmad Akalik, said that the department processed more than 900,000 customs declarations in 2024. During a press statements at the Government Communication Forum on Wednesday, Akalik explained that the new Amman Customs Center "land port" is one of the largest customs yards in the region, extending over 950 dunams and handling 192 customs trucks. Akalik pointed out that the Department is committed to implementing strategic plans, programs, and projects to enhance an institutional culture that supports development and modernization, boost the country's public revenues, and facilitate procedures for service recipients, investors, and business owners, in line with national objectives and the vision for economic modernization.
