Bahrain, Indonesia, Croatia and Brazil in Carnet News

Several countries are working hard to issue and accept carnets within the next 2 years while Croatia's acceptance into the European Union makes carnet use in the EU easier.

Bahrain

Bahrain recently hosted an in-depth workshop, conducted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, effective implementation of the ATA Carnet system there. That workshop was followed closely by a two-day program for Bahrainian customs, chamber officials and businesses. The purpose of the workshops was to raise awareness about the benefits of participating in the ATA Carnet system as well as to review the procedures for issuing and accepting carnets. Bahrain ratified the international convention, the Istanbul Convention, in May 2012 and is progressing toward full implementation, hopefully, in 2014.

Six of sixteen Middle East countries are in the ATA Carnet system: Iran, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Cyprus. Bahrain would increase that number to seven.

Indonesia

Indonesian authorities also hosted a workshop where Ms. Lee Ju Song, Director of ICC Asia instructed them on the technical aspects of operating the ATA Carnet system in Indonesia. Indonesia intends to ratify the Istanbul Convention in Bali in December of 2013 in preparation for implementation in early 2014.

Brazil

Brazil put out a call for organizations interested in serving as their national guaranteeing association to submit proposals by September 30th. This development is a significant step toward implementation of the ATA Carnet system in Brazil in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Croatia

Balkan EU countries, Greece and Bulgaria, were joined by Croatia on July 1st, 2013 to make three Balkan carnet countries that are now part of the EU. This eases entry and exit to and from carnet countries in the EU.