Sayed Hussein Al-Qassab | Photography by Suhail Wazir
The Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the Border Management and Technology Conference in the presence of the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and a number of ministers, ambassadors and officials, and with the participation of an elite group of officials and experts from various countries of the world, in order to discuss the latest innovations and modern technologies in the field of border security, and exchange experiences on best practices to facilitate travel and enhance port protection.
The conference comes within the framework of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts to strengthen its security system using modern technology and develop the infrastructure of border crossings to keep pace with global developments in this field.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, Sheikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, stated that the Border Security Conference is considered one of the important conferences in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as it highlights the role of technology in supporting the border security system.
He pointed out that the large presence of government agencies and companies reflects the interest in developing the port infrastructure, stressing that protecting borders represents a priority for countries by investing in smart systems capable of identifying risks and facilitating crossing.
He added that the world is moving today towards the concept of “touchless crossing,” which is what the Kingdom of Bahrain is adopting as part of its efforts to facilitate the safe and smooth movement of travelers and tourists, noting that the conference includes various presentations from local and international companies, in addition to presenting Bahrain’s experience in developing border security and reviewing work mechanisms and future trends in this field.
For his part, the head of Interpol, Major General Dr. Ahmed Al-Raisi said that border security has become a global concern faced by all countries, noting that this conference represents an important platform that brings together diverse experiences that contribute to finding practical recommendations that help countries face common challenges.
He revealed that Interpol owns about 19 databases containing more than 155 million records and information, which are used to support information exchange and risk monitoring among the 196 member states.
He added that the concept of border security is no longer limited to erecting barriers and walls, but rather relies on artificial intelligence techniques and big data to confront transcontinental crimes, stressing the importance of security cooperation and the use of modern technology to enhance the security of ports.
Al-Raisi stated that the organization provides more than 20,000 training courses annually to qualify security cadres in member states, and that border security represents one of Interpol’s most important areas of focus, noting that information has today become the real force that enables security agencies to make accurate decisions to protect borders.
In turn, the CEO of the King Fahd Causeway Corporation, Yousef Al-Abdan, explained that the Corporation has developed a modern transit system that relies on pre-payment technologies and automatic identification of vehicles via license plate numbers, which allows gates to be opened automatically without human intervention.
He pointed out that the average crossing time across the bridge on the morning of the fourth of November was about 6 minutes, while the data is continuously updated every five minutes, and this information is displayed directly through the King Fahd Causeway application, which enables users to follow traffic movement and plan their trip easily, in addition to the possibility of prepayment to speed up the crossing process.
For her part, Major Alia Al-Qahtani, in charge of managing the work of the Customer Service Division in Customs Affairs, stated that Customs’ participation in the conference came to showcase the experience of the remote customer service center, which provides more than ten virtual services that make it easier for travelers, residents, and merchants to complete their transactions electronically.
She explained that the center provides multiple services, including permits, authorizations, and goods clearance, through various electronic channels such as the website, email, video calling, and WhatsApp, with the aim of improving customers’ experience and facilitating customs procedures.
The Border Management and Technology Conference continues its sessions with broad participation from representatives of security and technical institutions and international companies, to discuss ways to employ modern technology to enhance port security and facilitate transit movement, thus contributing to supporting development and security in the region.
