AMMAN -- Jordan Customs Department (JCD) is negotiating with its counterparts in Syria and Saudi Arabia to implement an electronic network in order to enhance trade and information.
Speaking during a meeting with Jordanian Exporters Association on Tuesday, JCD Director General Ghaleb Sarayreh said the electronic network aims at boosting Jordanian exports to other markets and facilitate trade to neighbouring countries.
"The department is determined to implement latest technologies and upgrade its services and legislations in order to increase local exports and encourage more investments in the Kingdom," he added.
Noting that the department's procedures meet international standards, he indicated that JCD has signed several cooperation agreements with Arab and other countries.
During the meeting, organised by Naouri Group, representatives from various industrial and trade sectors raised some questions that were of concern to their businesses.
Issam Shamma, from a freight company, asked if the JCD will resume issuing licences to customs clearance companies and if the department will open customs training centres in other cities.
Sarayreh indicated that there are around 200 companies at custom centres and most of those firms do not practice any activities.
"The department will resume issuing licences for clearance companies after identifying the total number of companies that are inoperative," he replied.
JCD will open customs training centres in other cities soon, Sarayreh said, pointing out a visit to Bulgaria by a delegation from the department to look at their experiences in this field.
Khaled Kasih, from the food manufacturing sector, said that some neighbouring countries forge certificates of origin to take advantage of the Kingdom's free trade agreements.
"Some countries import tomato paste products and change certificates of origin to their advantage," Kasih said, adding that the situation harms local products in terms of prices.
The JCD chief indicated that the department was aware of forgeries and has barred imports of some food products despite persistent demands from foodstuff traders to allow more food products into the Kingdom.
Haider Janabi, an Iraqi businessman, wanted the JCD to exempt transit shipment from inspection at the Aqaba Port, claiming that the check costs Iraqi investors extra money and time. He alleged that some businesspeople are thinking of moving to other ports in Kuwait and Iran.
"Inspection procedures are according to international standards," the customs chief said. "The government and the JCD will continue to facilitate the flow of goods to Iraq through Aqaba Port."
In a related issue, Industry and Trade Secretary General Muntaser Oqla said Wednesday that Jordan and Egypt have formed technical committees to study the establishment of a customs union between the two countries.
By Omar Obeidat
© Jordan Times 2009
