ATA Carnet System Makes Qatar Global Investment Destination

Doha, August 29 (QNA) - Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized the importance of implementing the provisional cargo entry system (ATA Carnet) in promoting the State of Qatar as a global investment destination and opening up trade horizons through facilitating customs procedures for goods and equipment during participation in exhibitions, conferences and seminars inside and outside the country. Addressing a workshop organized by Qatar Chamber today on the implementation of the ATA Carnet System, Director of the Legal Affairs Department at Qatar Chamber and chairman of the committee on the provisional admission system for goods Abdulzziz Saleh Al Kuwari said that the two-day workshop is aimed at employees of the Chamber and the General Authority of Customs. It provides an overview of the system, how it is applied, and a number of procedures and mechanisms relating to the entry and exit of goods under this system. Al Kuwari noted that the workshop comes within the framework of continuous cooperation between the Chamber and the General Authority of Customs, in order to keep pace with the international developments in all economic fields, facilitate the practice of business activities for the business community and open up to the international markets, in the course of the joint efforts between the Authority and the Chamber to support the private sector as one of the pillars of comprehensive development in the country. He underlined that Qatar Chamber has taken many steps since it was invited to be the "national guarantor" for the Istanbul Convention on Temporary Admission, which requires a national guarantor to guarantee customs duties and rights if goods temporarily imported are not returned. He noted that facilitating the entry and movement of goods between countries and facilitating customs procedures is an important and essential mean for supporting export and import processes and traders in general. These efforts have been consistent with the policies of Qatar and the keen on keeping pace with the international developments in all fields, including trade and investment, stressing that economic development is one of the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030. For her part, Executive Director of ICC Ju Sung Lee said that the workshop will discuss the application of the ATA Carnet System, which will help make Qatar attractive to foreign investments and various sports events and exhibitions. It also sends a strong message to the business community that the State of Qatar is ready to host business thanks to the facilitative advantages it offers to this sector of business. She believed that the application of the system will bring many benefits to Qatar and accelerate regional cooperation. She underlined that the implementation of the system is an international trade passport. It helps to pass goods quickly and effectively, and is an important trading tool enabling the business to develop its export capabilities. She underlined the importance of the real facilitation of trade and to make maximum use of the system, which will support Qatar to be a global center for trade and a leader in hosting exhibitions and events. She highlighted that Qatar has become one of the most important commercial centers in the region, and the application of this system will enhance its readiness to host the 2022 World Cup, and will elevate the country to another level of achievement. The ATA Carnet system is an international customs document that allows the temporary import of goods for a period of one year without any fees or customs taxes. The temporary entry card includes all goods, provided that they are re-exported and imported during the period approved by the relevant customs authorities. One of the most important features of the system is to enable marketing representatives, participants in exhibitions and business travelers to carry out customs procedures at a predetermined cost, and to visit several countries without delay in procedures. It facilitates customs procedures across borders and reduces the routine requirements, using a single document to complete all customs procedures in 78 countries applying the system. (QNA)