CAIRO, March 10 (MENA) - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli reaffirmed the government's commitment to developing the customs system as a crucial step toward boosting the competitiveness of national exports and improving the business climate.

This came during a meeting chaired by Madbouli Monday to review measures for reforming the customs system and combating smuggling.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development, Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel el Wazir, Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, and other senior officials.

During the meeting, Kouchouk outlined key measures included in the customs reform plan and smuggling reduction strategies, explaining its various facilitative measures and incentives, such as allowing installment payments of customs duties for production inputs, streamlining the pre-clearance system, and granting customs clearance benefits at clients’ premises for companies listed on the "white list" and those part of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program.

Additional measures include reducing customs clearance times, creating a guideline for customs system users, enabling electronic payments, and allowing companies to establish logistics service centers to enhance transit trade.

Kouchouk highlighted steps to strengthen customs control, including enhancing security and monitoring of cargo movements, reviewing tariff classifications, training customs personnel to improve their technical skills, and rotating staff within customs ports. (MENA)

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