MUSCAT: Experts and businessmen said that linking customs system among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will enhance coordination and data exchange.
Vice Chairman of the Committee of Logistics and Transportation Affairs, Mohammed Hassan Al Ansi, at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), said that we have not got any official requests, but we are aware of such a plan. If it comes into effect it will surely be a boon for traders. It can avoid unnecessary delays in trade and can act as a catalyst in improving trade among GCC countries.
Last Saturday, the GCC e-government ministerial committee meeting in Doha decided to launch a joint portal to link traffic, business and customs systems next month.
Quoting Ali bin Saleh Al Soma, adviser to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology and director general of the Saudi Arabia’s e-government programme (Yesser), it was reported that the system would ease exchange of information.
According to the linking plans, the network will serve GCC citizens directly for all services without the need to move from one country to another. The services that were reviewed during the meeting include traffic violations, business and corporate establishment services, country-to-country customs, tendering services and some mobility services at airports.
“There is already a customs link among GCC countries. However, linking traffic, business and customs can usher in more transparency and also avoid unnecessary delays. Violations in cargo transportation can be spotted easily if the new system comes into effect,” said Abraham Raju, managing director at Sohar Shipping.
Already, a pilot programme has been launched to link networks in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
According to Abdullatif Surayie, director general of the Central Agency for Information Technology in Kuwait, the other countries would join the network over the next two weeks.
Recent reports reveal that there has been a massive growth in intra-GCC trade since the first phase of the regional customs union was introduced in January 2003.
