Manama: Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of Customs, participated in a dialogue session organised by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he reviewed the latest developments in customs operations and future development plans.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad emphasised the longstanding relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and France, noting the continuous progress in customs, logistics, and trade cooperation between the two countries, reflecting the strength of the bilateral partnership. He added that trade exchange between the two countries has grown noticeably, strengthening supply chain integration and supporting the competitiveness of the national economy.
The Customs President referred to the upcoming official launch of the next-generation customs clearance system (OFOQ 2), which relies on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing through a unified platform linking Customs with relevant government entities. This system includes an intelligent risk management engine that accelerates clearance procedures for low-risk consignments while ensuring strict control over high-risk shipments.
He also highlighted initiatives supporting the business environment, including the pre-clearance system and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which currently includes 34 accredited companies. There are plans to expand it to include small and medium-sized enterprises, in line with the unified implementation of the programme framework across Gulf Cooperation Council member states.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad emphasised that these initiatives are key to enhancing Bahrain’s competitiveness and reinforcing its position as a regional logistics hub through the adoption of advanced technologies and strengthening international partnerships.