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Morocco World
2 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Steps Up Efforts in Battle Against Cultural Property Trafficking
Berlin — Morocco has taken decisive action to confront the illegal trade of cultural property. The announcement came Monday in Rabat, where Minister of Youth, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, opened the work of an international conference dedicated to the role of customs in this global fight. Bensaid described Morocco's approach as both firm and forward-looking. Morocco, he said, views its cultural heritage not as a collection of objects, but as a reflection of human civilization. 'These treasures carry the memory of humanity,' he stated, 'and bear witness to the creativity and dialogue that have shaped our world.' International criminal networks continue to exploit conflict zones, legal loopholes, and gaps in technology to smuggle cultural artifacts across borders. Morocco, in response, has focused on tightening its legal arsenal in line with international agreements, including the 1970 UNESCO Convention. The minister noted the importance of digital tools and documentation in the protection of heritage. Cataloging cultural assets, he said, now forms the first line of defense against theft and smuggling. A new national law has come into force, introducing fresh restrictions aimed at shutting down harmful practices that threaten cultural property. On the ground, Morocco works to boost the capacity of its security and judicial systems. Morocco's intensified efforts to safeguard its cultural heritage send a clear and defiant message to Algeria, which has repeatedly attempted to appropriate iconic elements of Moroccan identity. From falsely claiming the caftan to rebranding the intricate zellige tilework, Algeria has engaged in a calculated campaign to distort historical truth and erase Morocco's cultural legacy. These provocations have not gone unnoticed. Bensaid called for deeper cooperation with international partners to ensure proper investigation and prosecution of cultural crimes. Recent operations with countries such as the US and Chile have already led to the recovery of stolen heritage items. The minister did not hold back when describing the damage caused by illicit trafficking. He called it an attack on collective memory, a force that strengthens terrorism and organized crime, and a direct obstacle to sustainable development. The problem, he said, requires more than institutional response. Raising awareness must reach beyond experts and authorities. Society at large, citizens, educators, civil institutions, must understand what is at stake. 'Cultural property crosses borders,' he warned, 'and the crimes committed against it do not stop at any frontier.' The conference, organized by ICESCO in cooperation with Qatar's General Authority of Customs and the National Library of Qatar, brings together specialists from around the world. Over the course of the week, participants will take part in high-level meetings and a regional workshop, including two targeted training sessions. These focus on core skills in cultural protection and the customs technologies used to safeguard heritage. Bensaid emphasized the need for shared strategies. Morocco supports global efforts to close black markets, monitor art auctions, and assist conflict-affected countries in recovering their stolen heritage. New technologies, including AI and blockchain, now play a key role in tracking and preserving these assets. He also stressed the importance of passing this responsibility to future generations. 'The protection of cultural heritage is not only a duty,' he said, 'but a long-term investment. We must act together, now, to ensure these symbols of civilization remain within reach for those who come after us.'
Zawya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Qatar National Library leads regional efforts to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property
A Rabat conference and workshop with ICESCO, Qatar's General Authority of Customs and Morocco's Administration of Customs & Indirect Taxes focus on protecting cultural property. Doha, Qatar: As part of its ongoing commitment to preserving heritage, Qatar National Library (QNL), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)'s Regional Preservation and Conservation Centre for the Arab region, continues to champion efforts to prevent the illicit trade of cultural property across the region. In collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Qatar's General Authority of Customs, and Morocco's Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes, Qatar National Library (QNL) is co-organizing the International Conference and High-Level Regional Workshop on the Role of Customs Authorities in Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property. The event, which began on 30 June and will continue until 5 July, is being held at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, Morocco. The initiative consists of an international conference on the opening day, followed by a comprehensive five-day regional workshop that brings together customs officials, cultural heritage professionals, and law enforcement representatives from across the region, focusing on enhancing customs officers' capacity to identify and safeguard cultural property, apply international legal frameworks, and collaborate effectively with cultural and enforcement institutions. The opening ceremony featured remarks from distinguished officials including His Excellency Mr. Abdellatif Ouahbi, Minister of Justice, Kingdom of Morocco; His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Kingdom of Morocco; Ms. Tan Huism, Executive Director of Qatar National Library; and His Excellency Dr. Salem bin Mohammed Al-Malik, Director-General of ICESCO, Mr. Talal Abdullah Al Shaibi, Assistant Chairman for Customs Affairs at Qatar's General Authority of Customs, along with senior officials Morocco's Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes. Ms. Tan discussed the gravity of the increased threats to cultural heritage, and the importance of customs authorities in combating illicit trafficking, but also the role of the media and society. She discussed the efforts that Qatar National Library has made in this area, and the importance of working in partnership. She continued: "Cultural items are expressions of who we are as a society. They hold our collective memory, reflect our identity, and offer insight into our values and beliefs. By working hand in hand with regional and international partners, we remain committed to preventing the trafficking of cultural property and ensuring they are preserved for future generations," she said. Mr. Talal Al Shaibi, Assistant Chairman for Customs Affairs at Qatar's General Authority of Customs, emphasized the importance of collaboration with organizations like QNL and ICESCO in strengthening the ability of customs authorities to protect cultural heritage across borders. "Customs authorities are often the first line of defence against the illegal movement of cultural assets. Thus, they play a crucial and leading role in combatting the illicit trade," he said. Dr. Al Malik noted that the workshop represents a key milestone in building bridges between cultural institutions and customs authorities throughout the Islamic world, reinforcing ICESCO's mission to advance cultural heritage protection. The event marked a significant step forward in strengthening regional cooperation to combat crimes against cultural property and further solidified QNL's leadership in heritage preservation. QNL's efforts are aligned with Qatar's broader vision to safeguard cultural identity. As IFLA's Regional Preservation and Conservation Centre for the region, QNL plays a pivotal role in fostering regional collaboration, providing training and support for the protection of heritage. About Qatar National Library Qatar National Library acts as a steward of Qatar's national heritage by collecting, preserving, and making available the country's recorded history. The Library provides equal access to all types of information and services and aims to enable the people of Qatar to positively influence society by creating an exceptional learning and discovery environment. His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, officially inaugurated Qatar National Library on 16 April 2018. The Library was granted the status of national library under the Amiri Decree No.11 of 20 March 2018.
Qatar Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Cooperation with Qatar in customs field enhances economic security: Jordanian Customs director-general
AMMAN: Director-General of Jordanian Customs Maj Gen Ahmad Akalik has praised the partnership with the General Authority of Customs describing it as exemplary and a model to follow in the field of Arab customs integration. In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Director-General of Jordanian Customs said that the cooperation between Jordan and Qatar in the customs field reflects a shared commitment to modernizing performance and enhancing the efficiency of the customs system in a way that supports development and strengthens economic security. He explained that the relationship with the State of Qatar's General Authority of Customs is based on the actual exchange of expertise and direct insight into smart and modern work systems. He affirmed that the General Authority of Customs has demonstrated advanced readiness in adopting technological solutions that contribute to reducing customs clearance time to just a few minutes. Akalik noted that Jordan Customs has benefited from the Qatari experience in several areas such as electronic tracking, automation of procedures, risk management, and streamlining the movement of goods. He confirmed that this cooperation has helped Jordan prepare to adopt new operational models that align with international standards. Jordan's Customs Department is currently working on a comprehensive customs system project that will bring all customs operations under one electronic umbrella, based on the global 'ASYCUDA'system. He underlined that the project has entered the procedure-mapping phase to unify work mechanisms across various crossings, including Jaber, Al-Omari, Al-Karama, and others, aiming to eliminate redundancies and create a unified smart customs environment. He affirmed that the system will also integrate with the human resources system, granting employees their authorities based on tasks rather than geographic location, which enhances discipline and reduces waste in resource allocation. Regarding the new customs law in Jordan, Akalik explained that it is considered a modern law built on three main pillars: the first is activating post-clearance audit instead of border inspection, which facilitates trade and reduces pressure on border crossings; the second is unifying regulatory bodies under the umbrella of the Customs Department to simplify procedures; and the third is formally integrating technology into the customs process, allowing stakeholders to remotely monitor inspection processes. He added that the new law has resolved many contentious issues such as value assessment and the timing of goods seizure. He noted that the law was the result of national dialogue with various partners and was smoothly passed through the countryط·s legislative institutions. In terms of facilitation, he revealed that the department launched a pre-clearance system for goods at the beginning of June, based on a trader's declaration, with subsequent audits conducted under a smart risk system. This significantly reduces time and effort at border crossings, he added. The system will initially be applied to compliant companies on the silver list, with continuous evaluation for broader implementation, he said, affirming that the project will lead to a major reduction in customs clearance times and enhance competitiveness. Regarding e-commerce, the Director-General of Jordanian Customs said that Jordan's e-commerce center is among the first specialized centers in the region and has recently handled over 1 million bills of lading. He pointed out that Customs is working to strike a balance between e-commerce and traditional trade in cooperation with the Jordan Chamber of Commerce.
Qatar Tribune
26-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
GAC achieves major digital milestone with IRU TIR integration
Tribune News Network Doha The General Authority of Customs has announced the successful implementation of a direct electronic integration between its 'AL-Nadeeb' Customs Clearance System and the Digital TIR Carnet Service of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), in coordination with Qatar Chamber as the TIR National Association. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the Authority's ongoing efforts to modernize customs operations and enhance digital integration with international entities. This electronic integration enables the instant and secure exchange of data related to road shipments governed by the International Road Transport (TIR) Convention. It represents a qualitative leap in supporting customs clearance operations associated with international road transport and serves as an innovative strategic step within the Authority's plans for digitizing customs procedures and implementing risk management criteria post-goods arrival. The General Authority of Customs is one of the first customs administrations in the Middle East to successfully implement direct integration with the International Road Transport Organization (IRU). This achievement demonstrates the Authority's commitment to adopting innovative technological solutions that enhance the efficiency and reliability of customs operations and facilitate international trade. The Digital TIR Carnet Service aims to achieve higher levels of efficiency and accuracy in tracking shipments covered by the international TIR system guarantee across land border crossings. This facilitates accelerated procedures and smoother information flow between customs ports and the Authority's global partners, while also enhancing the fluidity of cross-border trade movements. This service will establish a unified and reliable communication channel for real-time customs data exchange between the General Authority of Customs and the International Road Transport Organization (IRU). It will enhance transparency and reliability in transactions while strengthening the effectiveness of operational control at land border crossings. This achievement underscores the Authority's commitment to continuously developing its digital infrastructure and enhancing institutional integration, aligning with its vision for transitioning to innovative systems. It also reflects its pivotal role in solidifying Qatar's status as a leading regional hub for facilitating trade and road transport movements.
Qatar Tribune
26-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Customs achieves direct integration between Al-Nadeeb system and IRU through digital TIR Carnet
DOHA: The General Authority of Customs has announced the successful completion of the direct electronic integration between the 'Al-Nadeeb' system and the 'E-TIR Carnet' service of the International Road Transport Organization (IRU), in coordination with the Qatar Chamber, which serves as the TIR National Association. This step aims to modernise the customs workflow and enhance digital integration with international entities. The electronic integration enables the instant and secure exchange of customs data related to land shipments covered by the International Road Transport (TIR) Agreement, enhancing the efficiency of customs clearance processes and supporting the digitization of procedures, and implementing risk management criteria post-goods arrival, This achievement represents a qualitative leap, positioning Qatar Customs among the first customs authorities in the Middle East to implement this system. This step facilitates the movement of international trade and ensures a smoother flow of shipments through land ports by enhancing tracking accuracy and increasing transparency and control. This aligns with the Authority's vision of developing its digital infrastructure and solidifying Qatar's position as a regional hub for trade and land transport.
