Board of Directors

In accordance with the provisions of Article (7) of the Federal Law No. (1) for the year 2003 regarding establishment of the Federal Customs Authority, the administrative hierarchy and organizational structure of the authority is topped by the Board of Directors, with the Minister of Finance and Industry as chairman, agents of local customs administrations in the State as members, a representative of the Ministry of Finance and Industry and a representative of the Ministry of Economy. The period of office for the member of the Board of Directors is three renewable year, and the Board of Directors chooses a deputy chairman from amongst its members to act as chairman in the absence of the chairman or his inability to attend. Article 8 of the same law states that the Board of Directors is the supreme authority in charge of affairs and management of the Authority, stipulates nine primary duties of the Board of Directors, which run as follows

• Setting the general policy for the Authority and supervising implementation of it.
• Proposing draft laws related to customs affairs.
• Forming organizational structure of the Authority provided that it be ratified through a resolution by the Council of Ministers.
• Setting systems for financial and personnel affairs provided that it be ratified through a resolution by the Council of Ministers.
• Issuing regulations and resolutions necessary for organizing work within the Authority.
• Approval of Draft Annual Budget of the Authority, and exhibiting it to the Cabinet for ratification.
• Approval of Draft Annual Final Account of the Authority and its General Balance Sheet, and exhibiting them to the Cabinet for ratification.
• Setting and implementing plans for management and investment of the Authority funds.
• Appointing one or more auditors for the Authority accounts, and determining their fees.

Such article entitles the Board of Directors to form one or more committees from amongst its members to undertake study and investigation of issues that fall within its competence. These committees may seek help from appropriate parties from outside the Board of Directors as per their discretion. Subject to such article, the Board of Directors shall be also obliged to exhibit an annual report on its accomplishments and work progress in the Authority to the Cabinet. Besides, Article 9 of the said Law regulated the way of holding Board meetings and their periods, the mechanism of invitation to them, and clauses that guarantee their legal validity. Such article stated the following: The Board of Directors shall meet at the invitation of the Chairman at least once every three months. The Chairman may summon meeting of the Board of Directors at request from the Director General or at least three members of the Board of Director shall so request, or when necessary. The Board of Directors shall have a quorum when two thirds of its members, in addition to the Chairman or Deputy Chairman, are present. Votes shall be decided by an absolute majority. Should the vote be a tie, the Chairman shall cast the deciding vote.