[02/05/2024 05:30]

ADEN - SABA
The head of Customs Authority Abdulhakim al-Qubati discussed Thursday with an evaluation team from international donor organizations and entities the level of benefit from technical support programs implemented in Yemen, funded by the European Union, and the types of support provided to the Customs Authority.

The discussions between the Customs Authority and the international evaluation team, which included Mark Blain, an advisor in the United Nations Secretariat and Jounar Wakim, an advisor in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, focused on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Initiative, which involves several countries in the region, including Yemen, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, and Ethiopia.

They also discussed programs implemented by international organizations such as Interpol, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Organization for Migration, as well as the technical support in the areas of training and capacity building and the extent of participation and benefit of the women's sector.

The meeting emphasized the importance of supporting customs and focusing on continuing support for customs in the areas of training, capacity building, and infrastructure, especially manual and automated customs inspection, which helps detect smuggling operations of prohibited goods such as weapons, drugs, dual-use goods, and human trafficking.

Al-Qubati stressed the importance of the maritime security program in enhancing the capabilities of customs personnel. He expressed his hope for continued and expanded support from international organizations and entities to assist customs in carrying out its duties to the fullest.

He also highlighted the efforts made in the field of training and qualification and the holding of training workshops at the Customs Training Center for customs employees in coordination with female trainers working at customs ports, especially the Free Zone Customs.

For his part, the Deputy Director of the Customs Authority Ahmad al-Haj addressed the role of qualification and training in the process of controlling prohibited items.

He called on the evaluation team to take into account the insights and observations provided by customs in order to contribute to improving aspects of international support for the authority.

---