Amman (Petra) - HRH Prince Feisal, the Regent, on Thursday commended the Customs Department's role in economic development and reflecting the nation's good image to arriving visitors.
In remarks during his visit to the department yesterday, Prince Feisal said customs officers should speed up procedures for visitors' entry into the country, especially arrivals at Queen Alia International Airport.
Voicing his support for the department's plans, the Regent said the department's efforts to upgrade services and increase the efficiency of its employees were vital measures to facilitate the passage of incoming goods and outgoing exports as well as transit services.
Last month, the department launched state-of-the-art software that will apply best practices in managing employee performance, making it the first government entity in the Kingdom to embrace international standards of efficiency in the management and development of employees. The software consists of two key components: A human capital management and development programme and a system approach to training software.
The system will help the Customs Department identify and develop employee core competencies -- a major step in ongoing efforts to adopt international best practices in human resources development to ensure a more competent customs workforce across the Kingdom.
During yesterday's visit, Prince Feisal was briefed on a central communications network linking the main department with 14 customs centres at the various ports of entry.
Customs Department Director General Alaa Bataineh reviewed the department's new development plans, noting customs offices at borders would be operating round-the-clock.
Bataineh announced on Wednesday that the Omari, Jaber, Mudawarah and Karameh customs centres would be open 24 hours a day to facilitate travel and transit operations, especially during the summer months.
Finance Minister Bassem Awadallah accompanied Prince Feisal on the visit.
© Jordan Times 2005
