Algeria makes 40 amendments to customs law to fight corruption in airports and ports

A customs draft law which is expected to be passed on Tuesday would end favouritism and bribes in airports and ports. A “green corridor” will be created to enable exempted operators to pass through it. Importing plants and exported products will be inspected. This would have a positive impact on goods cost and sale prices.

Head of the Finance and Budget Commission Mahdjoub Bedda told Echorouk on Monday that 40 amendments were integrated to customs draft law. The commission’s members proposed 15 amendments. Four of them were withdrawn and five were passed.

“Those amendments aim at reinforcing the new draft law. Its contents are complementary and in conformity with the government’s new economic modal,” he said.

He criticized bureaucracy and customs procedures, saying that inspection process was slow and business climate was not attractive for foreign investors.

He believes that the price of many products will decrease after the new customs law enters in force.

Speaking about business climate, he said tens of investors withdrew due to slow customs procedures.

“The new legislative text will break those obstacles. Customs will have to conduct inspection operations with operators either in terms of imported or exported products,” he added.

He also said procedures flexibility will have a positive impact on investment and products price as costs will decrease.

The green corridor will be operational in all the ports and airports. Legislation authorizes operators to pass through it if they are not concerned by any legal declaration.

“This procedures does not drop surveillance and inspection but it will end favouritism and bribes to pass goods,” said the head of the Finance and Budget Commission.

“The customs draft law will end suspicious importing transactions. The Finance Commission will work with the government and make its initiative successful to reform legislation. Current financial circumstances impose a joint action with the government,” he added.