The WCO conducted an IT diagnostic mission and WCO Data Model Workshop from 3 – 7 February 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mr. Abdulaziz Almuammar, the Deputy Governor for Technology of the Saudi Customs welcomed the WCO experts. In his welcome remarks, Mr. Almuammar said that there were a number of modernization initiatives underway in Saudi Customs. To name a view, the administration had launched Single Window, which was known as Fasah, was revamping its core automated Customs clearance systems, which was known as Nebras, and was integrating its NII equipment to enable centralized NII analysis. Taking into account these ongoing initiatives, it was timely for the administration to consider adopting the WCO Data Model to ensure the capability of the administration’s ICT systems to interoperate with any external systems.

The WCO experts met several staff members of the administration responsible for some of the subjects of the diagnostic to understand the current situation of the implementation of ICT in the administration. The WCO for example, discussed the ongoing project on the development and implementation of the IT and Digital Strategy, the project to upgrade Nebras systems, business process re-engineering in the context of trade facilitation and Single Window, the national targeting centre facility and the initiative to integrate all of NII equipment electronically.

The WCO experts had the opportunity to visit one of the dry ports in Riyadh to examine how automated clearance procedures took place on the ground.

With regard to the adoption of the WCO Data Model, the diagnostic team dedicated one day of the mission to discuss the strategy for the adoption of the WCO Data Model at the national and regional level.

Concluding the activity, the WCO experts shared the preliminary recommendations based on their in-field observation and analysis.