The President of Customs, Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, participated in a dialogue session organised by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attended by private sector representatives and business leaders, during which he reviewed the latest developments in customs operations and future development plans.
During the session, the President of Customs affirmed the depth of the historic and strategic relations between Bahrain and France, highlighting the continuous progress in customs, logistics and trade cooperation between the two countries, reflecting the strength of the bilateral partnership. He noted that trade exchange between the two countries is witnessing noticeable growth, strengthening supply chain integration and supporting the competitiveness of the national economy.
He also referred to the upcoming official launch of the next-generation customs clearance system (OFOQ 2), which is based on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing technologies, and is delivered through a unified platform linking Customs with relevant government entities. The system includes an intelligent risk management engine that accelerates clearance procedures for low-risk consignments while ensuring strict control over high-risk shipments.
The President of Customs further highlighted several initiatives supporting the business environment, including the pre-clearance system and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which currently includes 34 accredited companies, with plans to expand its scope to include small and medium-sized enterprises, in line with the unified implementation of the programme framework across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.
In conclusion, the President of Customs stressed that these initiatives represent key pillars for enhancing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s competitiveness and reinforcing its position as a regional logistics hub by adopting advanced technologies and strengthening international partnerships.
 (3).jpeg){kind=link}
 (2).jpeg){kind=link}