The long-awaited single window system for customs clearance is expected to be implemented soon, with the Ministry of Interior signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the General Customs Authority in this regard.

The MoU was signed by the Director General of Public Security Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi and Chairman of General Authority of Customs Ahmad bin Ali Al Mohannadi at the headquarters of the Ministry yesterday.

Named "Al Nadeeb", the proposed single window system will help unify customs procedures and complete customs clearance in less than 15 minutes, a ministry statement quoted the Al Mohannadi as saying.

Al Nadeeb will also facilitate better integration with government agencies working in the security and economic fields and other bodies that have a relationship with customs clearance.

Approvals can be given electronically through the system. It will also allow the clients to make online follow-up of customs clearance transactions from anywhere in the world, said Al Mohannadi.

He added that the Authority had signed MoUs with other government agencies concerned for exchange of data and important information for the customs procedures.

Cooperation with the Ministry of Interior will be instrumental in speeding up the procedures. Besides that, it is a fundamental pillar of the e-government project "Hukoomi", he added.

Al Khulaifi said that MoU will strengthen cooperation between the two sides, which would help provide better electronic services related to customs clearance for all sectors in the state, including Ministry of Interior. [The Peninsula]