Saudi Customs officials and their Bahraini counterpart held their third bilateral meeting in Riyadh recently.
The gathering was headed by Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Hakbani, governor of the General Customs Authority of Saudi Arabia, and Ahmed bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, president of Bahrain Customs. The meeting, attended by customs officials from the Kingdom and Bahrain, aimed to enhance mutual cooperation and coordination between the two countries.
Al-Hakbani said: “This meeting comes in line with the constantly developing relationship, shared vision and common objectives between the two neighboring countries.” He said the objective of the bilateral meeting is to enhance communication and coordination between the Saudi and Bahraini customs departments in order to consolidate efforts, strengthen cooperation, overcome obstacles and find mutual solutions.
Al-Hakbani said the targeted integrated work between the customs bodies of the two countries will enhance intra-regional trade through coordinated and sustainable customs procedures.
In his speech, Al-Khalifa highlighted the importance of the meeting in achieving “bilateral economic integration through the implementation of customs procedures that facilitate trade and accomplish mutual goals.”
The meeting addressed many customs-related topics, including the issue of the joint border checkpoint.
Furthermore, deliberations included setting common processes to coordinate with the World Customs Organization (WCO), implementing the link of the comprehensive customs tariff by the Bahraini Customs, and linking the Saudi and Bahraini border systems. The meeting also addressed the implementation of the detailed mutual recognition plan for the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs in both the countries.
Amongst the important security-related subjects that were discussed, was the proposed plan for the security team and exchange of information, which was approved and agreed upon during the meeting.
At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed on the importance of continuous coordination to achieve the Saudi and Bahraini customs objectives.
