(Manama) – Interior Minister, Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa attended a ceremony to mark the International Customs Day and the launch of the Customs Strategy 2017-2020.
The event was attended by Deputy Interior Minister, Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary of Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs, Chief of Public Security and Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary.
The launched strategy aimed to meet the goals of the Economic Vision of Bahrain, 2030 and the Government Action Plan, as well as the approaches of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) for the coming years.
It was the result of scientific and practical studies that meet the work requirements and set the main frameworks for customs operations, through the focus on a number of principles, including documentation and transparent work procedures.
The Interior Minister expressed thanks and appreciation to the sincere efforts of the Customs Affairs and its role in facilitating travel traffic and promoting trade and economic growth.
He also applauded the strategy for turning plans into work procedures that are practiced by customs officials and employees to achieve its goals.
The minister invited customs staff to come up with initiatives and recommendations to enhance customs performance as part of the professional partnership. He asserted the importance to continue customs development, through the implementation of the strategy to enhance performance levels. He thanked Customs President for his good efforts in developing the Customs Affairs and the launching of thestrategy that will be as a foundation and a turning point for growth. He also thanked the work team of the strategy.
President of Customs, Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed, in a speech, thanks and appreciation to the Interior Minister for his support, highlighting that the strategy focuses on enhancing the capability of customs personnel, excellence in client services and meeting the aspirations of the wise government.
He said that the strategy was internally designed in association of all customs departments to develop work procedures to meet the requirements of the coming phase of creating a balance between facilitation of travel and illegal trade traffic and the reinforcement of security. He applauded the role of the Customs Affairs for the fulfillment of customs missions.
He said that the Customs Affairs looks forward to achieve its goals by 2020 by enhancing the skills of the manpower to ensure sustainable development in the coming years.
The ceremony featured a documentary on the strategy and the goals of the Customs Affairs.
The Interior Minister honoured a number of organisations with direct relation to the Customs Affairs and the members of the work team of the strategy. He wished them all the best in serving the nation.
