Latest news with #InternationalCustomsDay
See - Sada Elbalad
23-02-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Arab League Holds 61st Customs Meeting
Mohamed Mandour The 61st meeting of the directors-general of Customs in the North Africa, Near, and Middle East region convened at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States on 23 February. Organized by the General Secretariat, in collaboration with the Customs Authority of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the meeting was held in Jordan's capacity as Deputy of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Regional Representative for the North Africa, Near, and Middle East region. The event witnessed the participation of heads and directors of customs authorities from across the region, alongside the Secretary-General of the WCO and representatives of affiliated regional bodies. Ambassador Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Maliki, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Economic Affairs Sector, delivered a keynote address in which he welcomed the attending delegations from Arab customs authorities and the Secretary-General of the WCO. He underscored the significance of this year's International Customs Day theme—"Customs Achieving Its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity"—as designated by the WCO. He said that this theme would serve as a catalyst for customs administrations to adopt enhanced measures aimed at achieving these strategic objectives. Furthermore, he highlighted the pivotal role of the customs sector as a fundamental pillar of national economies, contributing to trade facilitation, revenue generation, and economic security. The meeting's agenda encompassed a comprehensive review of key regional and international customs developments, including a summary of the proceedings of the Policy Committee; reports from the Regional Office for Capacity Building; updates from the Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices in Morocco and Riyadh; and discussions on the 2025–2028 strategic plan of the WCO.
Daily News Egypt
28-01-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Finance Minister launches first phase of customs facilitation measures
Ahmed Kouchouk, Egypt's Minister of Finance, has revealed that the government is set to launch the first phase of its customs facilitation measures as part of broader efforts to enhance the efficiency of the country's customs system. This initiative aligns with Egypt's financial policies aimed at stimulating economic growth and improving the global competitiveness of its economy. During the celebration of International Customs Day, delivered by Sherif El-Kilany, Deputy Minister for Tax Policies and Supervisor of the Customs Authority, Kouchouk outlined the government's ongoing work with both local and international partners to localize global best practices. These efforts are focused on reducing customs clearance times and cutting production and export costs, key objectives to foster an environment conducive to investment and trade. Sherif El-Kilany The Ministry of Finance is leveraging international expertise to analyze and address challenges related to customs clearance for imports and exports. This includes efforts to improve governance within customs administration, ensuring smoother operations that encourage both local and foreign businesses to expand their industrial and export activities in Egypt. Kouchouk emphasized that modernizing Egypt's customs system is a critical component of the country's broader efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian goods and services on the global stage, ultimately contributing to a more favorable trade balance. In addition, the government is integrating the tax and customs systems to simplify procedures for businesses. A key element of this modernization is the electronic linkage of all ports through a single-window system, which aims to streamline customs processes and facilitate faster clearance. Kouchouk also reiterated the Ministry's commitment to an open dialogue with the private sector, listening to their challenges and developing practical, simplified solutions. Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, also delivered a recorded message emphasizing the importance of customs reform. He highlighted the global customs goals of efficiency, security, and prosperity, underscoring the role of digital services, enhanced data analytics, and innovation in achieving these objectives. Saunders expressed the organization's support for initiatives that foster sustainable economic growth through trade facilitation.
Hi Dubai
27-01-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Customs Enhances Security and Economic Growth with Record Achievements
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has highlighted the vital role of "UAE Customs" in bolstering community security, supporting economic growth, and achieving national prosperity. This announcement coincides with International Customs Day, celebrated annually on January 26. Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the Authority, praised "UAE Customs" for its innovative and advanced customs systems. These systems have driven significant progress in digital transformation, operational efficiency, and customs seizures. Key achievements include streamlining customs processes, leveraging data-driven analytics, enhancing inspection technologies, and collaborating with strategic partners locally and globally. Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahej Al Falasi, Acting Director General of Customs and Port Security, revealed a 49% growth in customs transactions in 2024, reaching 40 million compared to 26.8 million in 2023. The compliance rate with the Customs Procedures Manual hit 100%, and the average customs clearance time nationwide was reduced to just five minutes. Efforts to combat smuggling, money laundering, and terrorist financing have been pivotal. In 2024, UAE Customs conducted 276 inspection missions and achieved 15,866 seizures, including hazardous materials and drugs. Advanced risk management systems and international cooperation have been key to these successes. Additionally, the Authority achieved 100% compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements and made progress on transformative projects like the "Afhas" system for cash declarations and the UAE Customs Platform, which is now 60.7% complete. These milestones underscore UAE Customs' commitment to security, innovation, and economic development, further solidifying its role in safeguarding the nation and supporting its global trade ambitions. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Zawya
27-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE Customs completes 40mln transactions in 2024
ABU DHABI: The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security emphasised the important role of "UAE Customs" in enhancing community security, maintaining stability, supporting the economic growth of the UAE, and achieving prosperity. This is accomplished through facilitating trade, strengthening commercial exchanges with countries around the world, managing customs risks, combating the smuggling of prohibited goods and hazardous materials, protecting borders, countering money laundering and terrorist financing attempts, as well as combating illicit trade and enhancing international cooperation. Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the Authority, stated, coinciding with International Customs Day, which is celebrated on 26th January each year, that "UAE Customs" has managed to build and innovate modern and advanced customs systems, achieving unprecedented accomplishments and results in the areas of digital transformation, operations, and customs seizures. He pointed out that "UAE Customs" has succeeded in fulfilling its commitments to achieving operational efficiency, maintaining security, and contributing to prosperity and boosting economic growth. This is accomplished through improving customs processes and enhancing their efficiency via full digital transformation, updating and simplifying procedures, developing customs services, strengthening data-driven operations and analytical tools, utilising the latest inspection and surveillance devices, and collaborating with strategic partners both within and outside the country. Additionally, efforts are focused on enhancing supply chain security, combating smuggling and money laundering attempts, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and contributing to attracting capital and investment. In turn, Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahej Al Falasi, Acting Director General of Customs and Port Security, confirmed the increase in the number of customs transactions completed by "UAE Customs" during 2024, achieving unprecedented rates compared to 2023. He noted a 49% growth in customs transactions during 2024 compared to the previous year, with the total number of customs transactions for "UAE Customs" reaching approximately 40 million in 2024, compared to 26.8 million transactions in the previous year. He explained that the compliance rate of customs departments with the procedures outlined in the Customs Procedures Manual reached 100% in 2024. Additionally, the average customs clearance time in 2024 was only 5 minutes nationwide, reflecting the success of "UAE Customs" in leveraging technology in the customs clearance process, innovating customs systems, and efficiently managing customs risks. This also includes simplifying procedures and operations, attracting the latest devices, expanding the use of trained customs dogs for inspections, and enhancing the efficiency of customs personnel through training and knowledge exchange. Al Falasi stated that the achievements of "UAE Customs" in the field of customs seizures reflect its vital role in maintaining community security and standing strong and vigilant against smuggling attempts, particularly drugs that target the youth of the UAE, who are considered the country's most valuable asset. Additionally, it highlights its important role in combating the smuggling of hazardous materials and the attempts to launder money and finance terrorism through trade. He added, 'The total number of customs seizures during the past year reached approximately 15,866 seizures. During the year, 'UAE Customs' carried out around 276 inspection missions at the country's customs ports. The number of support devices used in inspection operations was 204, which are among the most advanced in the field of customs inspection.' Al Falasi mentioned that "UAE Customs" uses advanced systems for managing and identifying customs risks, where data and information related to shipments are analysed to identify suspicious shipments that require thorough inspection. Additionally, it collaborates with global customs departments and international organisations to exchange information about criminal networks and smuggling operations. He pointed out the success of "UAE Customs" in fully meeting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements related to combating money laundering and terrorist financing through trade with a 100percent compliance rate. Additionally, the completion of the "Afhas" system for the declaration of cash and equivalent amounts accompanying travellers departing from or arriving in the country was fully achieved as one of the Authority's transformative projects. Moreover, the progress in implementing the "UAE Customs Platform" project reached 60.7%, and the Border Security Ports project achieved a completion rate of 74 percent.
