BEIRUT: Italy is providing Lebanese Streamline Customs Department with fully computerised processes thus reducing cost burdens, said the speakers by Lebanese Customs Administration and the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency.
They said that, the twinning project not only sought to improve procedures and control methodologies but also aimed to reduce cost burdens and optimize efficiency.
The objective of the twinning venture is to facilitate an effective transfer to the Lebanese administration of knowledge of best practices in modernized clearance processes that are in line with the most prevalent European standards and which can help Lebanon to enter the World Trade Organization.
The project is financed by the European Union.
“The key to accomplishing that was in establishing automated and integrated clearance process, an e-government, and paperless environment in general,” one of the speakers explained.
Head of Lebanese Customs Nizar Khalil, who spoke on behalf of the finance minister, hailed the twinning project initiated by the Italian government. “The twinning project is definitely one step forward toward putting Lebanon on the track of high international trade standards through improved productivity, quality and efficiency of trade procedures,” Khalil said.
“It also serves to make Lebanon part of the World Trade Organization and eventually help promote national economic growth.”
Chafic Merhi, director general of the Lebanese Customs Administration, called on all parties to “actively participate in the proper application of the agreement to serve this country and diminish wasting its resources.”
