DOHA: Qatar Chamber has spearheaded an initiative aimed at unifying Certificates of Origin (COs) issued in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, and adopting an official form for COs approved by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
The initiative came during Qatar Chamber’s meetings at the World Chambers Federation (WCF) in Athens, which discussed the application of electronic COs and the ATA Carnet.
Qatar Chamber, in a press statement, said the initiative, once approved, will “facilitate trade between the state of Qatar and the GCC member states, on one hand, and with the European countries, on the other hand.”
“All GCC member states, foremost of which is Qatar, will join the certificates of origin approved by international institutions,” the statement added.
Al-Sharqi said a joint GCC Committee was set up to prepare a unified CO for GCC member states, noting that Qatar Chamber is a member of this committee.
Following the approval of the unified COs, they will be circulated to all GCC member states before acceding to European certificates of origin, he explained.
The press statement also said al-Sharqi will deliver Thursday (May 4) a presentation on the final phases of the implementation of the ATA Carnet system, “which is expected to be enforced in Qatar by the year-end, once approved by authorities concerned.”
According to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), ATA Carnets are international customs documents permitting the duty-free and tax-free temporary export and import of goods for up to one year. Carnets are the easiest way to speed through Customs and to save money.
Al-Sharqi underlined the role played by the ATA Carnet in facilitating customs procedures, which, he said, “is the cornerstone to support imports, exports, and trade.”
“The ATA Carnet is a special type of passport for exporting and importing goods and is accepted by 74 countries. It allows holders to forgo normal customs procedures and fees and import items into a member country without paying any taxes for up to one year. It is administered by the World Customs Organisation (WCO),” he pointed out.
Al-Sharqi noted that Qatar Chamber was chosen to be the “national guarantor” to implement the ATA Carnet programme in Qatar, “which reflects the great responsibility toward the Qatari business community.”
In addition to facilitating trade, al-Sharqi said the programme is seen “as a good way of encouraging more international participation in exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and other gatherings where business representatives from other countries need to bring goods with them.” The ATA Carnet covers commercial samples, professional equipment and tools, and goods for fairs and other exhibitions.
