The Kingdom of Bahrain-based fintech Payment International Enterprise (PIE) is to provide a new service that will enable the payment of customs fees and taxes through its self-service electronic payment platform.
Constructed in cooperation with the Customs Affairs in Interior Ministry, and the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), PIE will provide a holistic package of services via their platform, allowing customs brokers, importers, and customers to pay customs fees via accessible methods.
The service comes as a reflection of the existing partnership between PIE and several institutions within the public sector, and comes as an affirmation of the company’s approach to support the Kingdom’s digital economy.
On the occasion, Fawaz Ghazal, CEO of PIE, expressed delight in the efforts exerted to bolster cooperation with establishments of the public sector, adding that this was reflected by PIE’s cooperation with the Customs Affairs and the Information & eGovernment Authority, which selected the company as its partner in payment.
Ghazal also underlined that this initiative confirms the significant role played by the company and its constant strive to create new means to improve people’s livelihoods, in a way that ensures their comfort and satisfaction, especially clients, partners, and stakeholders.
On his part, Hamad Ahmed Buhijji, Financial Resources Director at the Customs Affairs, asserted that the new partnership comes within the Customs Affairs’ strategic objectives to provide distinguished customs services and facilitate procedures for beneficiaries, and in line with the decisions of the Coordination Committee, spearheaded by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the directives of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior.
Elaborating further, Buhijji said the Customs Affairs has developed the electronic payment mechanism through PIE platform directly with the Customs Single Window (OFOQ) programme, noting that this service saves the beneficiary time and cost, thanks to the speed of completion and elimination of waiting periods without the burden of additional fees, contributing significantly to the development of the automation of customs operations, which is what Customs Affairs endeavours to achieve.
He added that the launch of this service comes as a valuable addition to the other existing electronic services provided by Customs Affairs, such as the electronic payment through “Fawateer” and payment through the eGovernment platform, thanks to the directives and periodic follow-up from HE Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of Customs, and his keenness on development and achievement.
Emphasising on the importance of the new service, Abdullah Al Jowder, Director of eServices and Channels Development at the Information and eGovernement Authority iGA, said the provision of this service stems from the keenness to enhance cooperation between entities of the public and private sectors, in order to provide additional diverse options for citizens and residents to complete their transactions electronically through the national portal “bahrain.bh” and through various digital channels, including electronic platforms.
Al Jowder lauded the Customs Affairs’ approach and strives to cooperate with the Authority to electronically provide its services to beneficiaries, saving them time and effort.
He also confirmed that the paying customs fees and taxes service is now available through electronic platforms for payments and services, TAM kiosks, and the eGovernment kiosks that are distributed across the Kingdom, mainly in shipping ports, adding that access to these platforms is easier than before.
Furthermore, Al Jowder highlighted the features of the new service, which provides various options such as cash payment or bank cards, and accelerates the pace of completion of customs transactions, in addition to achieving social distancing in order to preserve the safety of everyone and to support the efforts exerted by the National Taskforce to combat Covid-19.
As one of the most prominent fintech in the Kingdom of Bahrain, PIE is licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). The company has a variety of partnerships in the Kingdom of Bahrain with the aim of innovating more services for public institutions and key telecom operators.
Moreover, the launch of the TAM-Dinar project for Government institutions in Bahrain to facilitate payments is one of the most identifiable projects by the company, which has direct integration with all key billers in Bahrain and also provides self-service machines to third parties to empower businesses with fintech solutions and deliver a modern experience to their customers.
