The Arab Union of Customs Executives, in cooperation with the Arab Union for Metrology and Calibration and the Arab Union for the Development of Industrial Exports, organized a joint seminar under the umbrella of the Arab Economic Unity Council entitled:
“Overcoming Obstacles and Barriers to Trade Exchange Among Arab Countries.”
Mr. Samir Abu Al-Nasr, Secretary-General of the Arab Union of Customs Executives, stated that the seminar addressed key topics aimed at boosting intra-Arab trade, such as the Single Window System and its impact on reducing clearance times, the electronic certificate of origin, and the Unified Arab Customs Law. He added that the Union is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to find practical solutions and bridge differences among parties involved in Arab customs matters.
Dr. Ahmed Sabeeh emphasized the pivotal role of the customs executive in the customs process, starting from the arrival of goods until delivery to the recipient. He highlighted that since the founding of the Arab Union of Customs Executives, Egyptian Customs has been fully supportive of its goals and ambitions, as evidenced by agreements signed with Arab customs administrations and the organization of a major Arab conference attended by directors of Arab customs, import-export companies, Arab business figures, and customs executives from across the region.
Mr. Ahmed Shehata, Director General of the Technical Office of the Head of the Egyptian Customs Authority, noted that the implementation of the Single Window System is a national project that required a sovereign decision to launch—an effort recently inaugurated at Cairo Airport’s logistics center in the presence of the Prime Minister and the Head of the Customs Authority. He pointed out that the system will significantly reduce clearance times, lower import costs, and simplify procedures. The MTS company has been contracted to implement the Single Window System in logistics centers, beginning in April at Port Said Customs, followed by Damietta.
Shehata clarified that MTS’s work does not conflict with the role of customs executives, who will still enter shipment data and submit documents at the counter alongside MTS representatives to complete the necessary procedures.
Dr. Mamdouh Al-Rifai, President of the Arab Union of Customs Executives, emphasized that the Single Window System is a critical step for facilitating Arab trade. However, he stressed that its success depends on having well-trained and qualified customs executives. The Union, in collaboration with Egyptian Customs, plans to organize a major conference to raise awareness among traders and train customs executives. He also mentioned the Union’s recent cooperation agreement with the Agadir Technical Unit, which will enhance awareness and understanding of the agreement’s benefits for Arab and Euro-Mediterranean trade.
Mr. Mohamed Hamed, Director General of Certificate of Origin Issuance, explained that the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) faced numerous challenges in implementing an electronic certificate of origin, including the need for specific clauses in trade agreements recognizing such certificates, establishing a verified exporter database, and resistance from export councils in defining customs codes for exporters. Nevertheless, GOEIC recently launched an online verification service for certificates of origin, with future plans to electronically link its systems with those of Egyptian Customs and counterparts in other countries.
The seminar also addressed disparities in standard specifications across Arab countries and discussed pathways toward a unified Arab standard, in addition to the concept and development of a unified digital economy.
Notable attendees included:
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Mr. Moeed Saadi, Advisor to the Arab Economic Unity Council, representing H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Al-Rabie, Secretary-General of the Council.
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Several commercial attachés from Arab embassies.
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Representatives of Egyptian Customs: Dr. Ahmed Sabeeh, Mr. Ahmed Shehata, Mr. Ibrahim Al-Farash, Mr. Essam Othman, and Mr. Mohie El-Hawari.
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From the General Organization for Export and Import Control: Maj. Gen. Essam Al-Najjar and Mr. Mohamed Hamed.
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From the Arab Union of Customs Executives: Dr. Mamdouh Al-Rifai (President), Mr. Taha Qleisi (Vice President), Mr. Samir Abu Al-Nasr (Secretary-General), Ms. Rana Al-Jamal (Office Director of the President), Mr. Mohamed Sakran (Assistant Secretary-General), Mr. Mohamed Fathy (Public Relations Director), Dr. Mariana Mahfouz (Media Sector Director), and Mr. Mohamed Yehia (General Assembly Member).
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Representatives from the Unions of Industrial Export Development and Metrology & Calibration.
