DOHA: Customs clearance at ports of entry in Qatar has been made faster with the introduction of an electronic link between General Authority of Customs (GAC) and the Qatar Ports Management and integration between the single-window customs clearance system, Al Nadeeb, and the QPM.
The e-link project has helped reduce the time for customs clearance by 70 percent and a further reduction is expected when it is fully implemented, officials disclosed yesterday.
The electronic link is expected be instrumental in integration of the procedures and development of transactions and exchange of data between GAC and QPM. Ultimately this will enhance the efficiency of customs clearance and speed up the movement of goods.
Mohamed Ahmed Al Mohanadi, Operations and Risk Analysis Manager at the General Authority of Customs told reporters yesterday that Al Nadeeb has a number of advantages which are focused on effectiveness and efficiency and accurate follow up of the procedures.
"This integration is unprecedented because it will enable exchange of information and data between the two systems with accuracy and achieve completion of transaction of all shipments within a short time," said Al Mohanadi.
"The e-link between GAC and QPM since its implementation has saved more than 70 percent of the time of processing the clearance and we are expecting this to increase further," he added. GAC has developed Al Nadeeb by linking it by a number of ministries and institutions that are related to imports, and provide technical support.
Clearance agents will benefit from Al Nadeeb and the integration of information because agents will be able to follow on their goods and the containers according to specific regulations and disciplines.
This integration comes in line with Qatar's commitment to Kyoto Convention on customs data exchange, and implementation of this system is going to be in the form of exchanging files and letters online, and updating customs data related to import and export, helping to make follow up on containers beginning from loading to sea transportation until it comes to the port and finally to the trucks.
The e-link has already been set up with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Environment, and General Authority for Specifications and Standardisation. "We also have an electronic link with Saudi Customs through Abu Samra border post exchanging information with them, and soon will include other government bodies which are related to QAC," said Al Mohanadi.
Director of Doha Port management Abdul Aziz Al Yafei said, due to the economic boom in Qatar, import and export traffic through Doha port has seen a major growth. Movement of containers increased by 69 percent, while the trading on general commodities increased by 380 percent , in addition to the increase in cars, goods and heavy equipment by 106 percent, over the five past years.
The E-link project will be expanded to the Hamad Port and Al Ruwais port, in collaboration with GAC and private and public sectors working in this field, he added.
© The Peninsula 2016
