Bahrain speeds up chemical imports
BAHRAIN has succeeded in cutting down by 70 per cent the time required to process chemical import licences.
Previously, traders had to wait for up to two weeks to get a licence for their chemical product shipments due to restrictions on some materials that could be used in making drugs and explosives.
However, the establishment of a new specialised office for chemical imports on October 26 last year helped speed up the process as traders became able to obtain consent from all authorising bodies at one place.
Ninty-two per cent of licences were completed in just one day during the first six months since the office opened, while the remaining 8pc were completed in less than three days.
The figures were announced during a Press conference headed yesterday by Customs president Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) chief executive Dr Mohammed Mubarak Bin Daina.
“The process used to take up to two weeks and in some cases it would take a month,” said Shaikh Ahmed.
“To have 92pc of licences completed within one day is a big achievement.
“This record is a credit to the co-operation of importers and clearing agents and not just official bodies.”
The office, located in Khalifa Bin Salman Port, comprises representatives from the SCE, Health Ministry, Interior Ministry, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry’s agricultural affairs and the National Health Regulatory Authority.
It was established to inspect imported chemical materials and issue licences to traders following directives by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Dr Bin Daina revealed that out of 5,332 licensing requests, 5,107 containing 25,535 chemical materials were approved, while 198 were delayed due to lack of data submitted by traders.
Twenty-seven requests were rejected due to restrictions on materials.
“Seventy-seven per cent of the licences were looked at by the SCE,” he said.
“We are also intensifying inspection visits to keep an eye on how traders store chemicals, as well as to check quantities and the validity of licences.”
According to Dr Bin Daina, three million tonnes of chemical products are imported into Bahrain annually.
An online platform was earlier also launched for traders for licence issuance and is aimed to replace the physical existence of the office in the future.
During the Press conference, which took place at Bahrain Customs Headquarters in Hidd, it was also announced that a fast-track operation that will speed up Customs procedures will be launched to serve the 10 biggest exporting companies in Bahrain that ship products within GCC countries.
Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/215547/Bahrain-speeds-up-chemical-imports
