Doha: Director-General of Jordanian Customs Maj. Gen. Ahmad Akalik praised the partnership with the General Authority of Customs, describing it as exemplary and a model to follow in the field of Arab customs integration.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Director-General of Jordanian Customs stated that the cooperation between Jordan and Qatar in the customs field reflects a shared commitment to modernizing performance and enhancing the efficiency of the customs system. This collaboration supports development and strengthens economic security.
He explained that the relationship with the State of Qatar's General Authority of Customs is based on the actual exchange of expertise and direct insight into smart and modern work systems. He affirmed that the General Authority of Customs has demonstrated advanced readiness in adopting technological solutions, which contribute to reducing customs clearance time to just a few minutes.
Akalik noted that Jordan Customs has benefited from the Qatari experience in several areas such as electronic tracking, automation of procedures, risk management, and streamlining the movement of goods. This cooperation has helped Jordan prepare to adopt new operational models that align with international standards.
Jordan's Customs Department is currently working on a comprehensive customs system project that will bring all customs operations under one electronic umbrella, based on the global "ASYCUDA" system. The project has entered the procedure-mapping phase to unify work mechanisms across various crossings, aiming to eliminate redundancies and create a unified smart customs environment.
He affirmed that the system will also integrate with the human resources system, granting employees their authorities based on tasks rather than geographic location, enhancing discipline and reducing waste in resource allocation.
Regarding the new customs law in Jordan, Akalik explained that it is built on three main pillars: activating post-clearance audit instead of border inspection, unifying regulatory bodies under the Customs Department, and formally integrating technology into the customs process. This new law has resolved many contentious issues and was smoothly passed through the country's legislative institutions.
In terms of facilitation, he revealed that the department launched a pre-clearance system for goods at the beginning of June, which significantly reduces time and effort at border crossings. The system will initially be applied to compliant companies on the silver list, with continuous evaluation for broader implementation.
Regarding e-commerce, the Director-General said that Jordan's e-commerce center is among the first specialized centers in the region and has recently handled over 1 million bills of lading. Customs is working to strike a balance between e-commerce and traditional trade in cooperation with the Jordan Chamber of Commerce.