Breakthrough Customs law in place to speed up procedures

In an unprecedented regional achievement, the Customs President, Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday announced the launching of the White List for importers and exporters. The move is part of the recommendations of the Customs Clearance Committee formed by an order by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister to allow exporting and importing companies to clear their products without waiting for customs inspection after they fulfil the trust and commitment standards.

The President of Customs highlighted that the decision was a continuation of the international successes of Bahrain. He revealed that besides the Customs Affairs, there is now three organisations associated in the list; the Supreme Council of Environment, Ministry of Health and National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA). He said that importers, products or both of them are evaluated to check if they are eligible to be included in the While List.

The products of organisations in the list are referred to the green lane and are released immediately. He said that the list aims to reinforce customs operations and reduce the costs on importers and exporters, along with speeding procedures. He noted that the included goods would be inspected, through samples taken from the stores of importers after they are released. The CEO of NHRA, Dr Mariam Al Jalahma highlighted that the idea of the list was to determine the basic medical requirements and devices that don’t need supervision from the authority and are released to serve patients and hospitals. She hoped more equipment to be included in the list.

The CEO of the Supreme Council of Environment Dr Mohammed Bin Daina said that the list would promote investment and the arrival of chemical substances for major industrial organisation. He said that the council received around 30,000 import requests annually for chemical substances and 24 organisations that import 2,000 chemicals substance were included in the White List. He said that national factories were excluded from environment inspection to facilitate manufacturing and promote local industries.

He said the organisations in the list are the first batch to be included. Assistant Undersecretary of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Mariam Al Hajri said that the Ministry of Health is responsible for the wellbeing of people and monitor the medical and cosmetic products. She said that the While List aims to facilitate the processing procedures for some products.