Business Environment Improvement Committee Discusses Challenges Facing the Automotive Sector and Importers - Sarmad

(KUNA) – The Committee for Monitoring the Improvement of the Business Environment and Enhancing Competitiveness held a coordination meeting attended by its members, representing government entities, alongside the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kuwait Union of Car Dealers, to discuss ways to address challenges facing the automotive sector and importers. The meeting was attended by Yusuf Al-Nuwa’im, Head of the General Customs Authority.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Customs Authority stated that the committee, chaired by Saleh Al-Amer, Deputy Head of the Authority for Border Affairs, Research, and Customs Investigation, reviewed a number of initiatives and development projects, foremost among them the pre-clearance system, data exchange mechanisms, and electronic integration.

It added that the meeting was held within the framework of strengthening public-private partnership and continuing efforts to improve the business environment and enhance Kuwait’s competitiveness in the Cross-Border Trade Index.

The statement noted that the meeting discussed the main challenges facing the automotive sector and importers, and examined proposals and observations aimed at reaching practical, implementable solutions that support trade and investment flows.

It emphasized the Authority’s commitment to continuously developing customs procedures by simplifying them, accelerating cargo release processes, expanding electronic services, and enhancing integration and coordination with relevant government entities. These efforts aim to reduce time and costs for the business community and improve service efficiency in line with international best practices.

It clarified that all observations and proposals would be studied within the regulatory framework, ensuring the public interest is served, while continuing to implement reform and development programs that contribute to enhancing customs performance, strengthening Kuwait’s position in international indices, and supporting sustainable economic growth.

It is worth noting that the Committee for Monitoring the Improvement of the Business Environment and Enhancing Competitiveness is responsible for studying and implementing recommendations of the National Agenda, monitoring performance indicators, and submitting periodic reports to the Standing Committee established for this purpose, thereby contributing to achieving national targets and enhancing Kuwait’s standing in global competitiveness indices.

The committee includes members from the Direct Investment Promotion Authority, the Ministry of Interior, the Public Authority for Industry, the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.