DOHA: Taking advantage of the advanced single-window clearance system, Nadeeb, at ports of entries in Qatar, the General Authority of Customs (GAC) for the first time is providing instant clearing services for exhibitions.
The special service will be first used in the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) which begins here on Monday.
The system facilitates temporary release measures for clearing agents and allows easy goods inventory accurately and in a short time, a senior GAC official said.
“Nadeeb represents a real leap and evolution and makes the customs system in Qatar responsive to global requirements set by World Trade Organisation, a standard that attracts global investment and global companies to engage in economic and trade dealings with Qatar without conditions or restrictions.
“For the first time we provide instant services for clearing customs transactions quickly and easily within the exhibition,” said Ahmed Yousuf Al Khanji, Director, Air Cargo Management and Private Airports, and Head, DJWE team.
DJWE will take place at the Qatar International Exhibition Centre and Conference (QIECC) from February 22 to 27. Its value has reached QR6.5bn, making it among the top three exhibitions in the world after Basel fairs and Hong Kong.
He said the single-window system has helped the world’s major companies carry out temporary entry easily from anywhere at a time that suits them. It has three paths — green, yellow and red. Companies in the green path can supplement procedures electronically via Nadeeb and receive their goods immediately. The companies will be assessed later and in case of violation the firm involved will be removed from green to red path, and will lose superior flexibility advantage in services.
“Flexibility in procedures does not mean leniency in oversight, safety and the application of laws and regulations,” Al Khanji said.
The electronic billing has been linked to all companies which gives any firm the ability to begin proceedings without attending customs offices.
This has reduced the traditional administrative pressure and provided a large and easy flexibility in ending all transactions in the shortest possible time. The system also allows prepaid and pre-disclosure services, which means that the customs clearance process has become affordable for all companies in time and place that suits them. “Preparations to host the DJWE began early. We have set up a special organising committee comprising relevant authorities to hold the exhibition on a high level befitting Qatar’s reputation,” Al Khanji added.
