Tuesday: 24 August 2010 :
New procedures for land travelers to Saudi Arabia and Egypt
Brigadier Gheith Hassan Al Zaabi, Director General of MoI Traffic Coordination has announced new procedures for those who travel by land, transport buses and companies departing to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and tourist travelers to Egypt.
Al Zaabi said "The Directorate General of Traffic Coordination has received a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that that the Saudi Authorities will follow new security procedures regarding the luggage of passengers who travel to the Kingdom by land through public transport companies. The Transport Company must put the name of individual on each bag before loading it in the bus. All bags should be known to whom they belong so as not to be used for smuggling contraband goods".
"If any personal effects found inside the bus without the name of their owner on them, and that contraband goods have been found inside them, strict actions will be taken and that the laws and rules in force in Saudi Arabia will apply to the driver and transport company. Even confiscation of the bus or means of transport", added Al Zaabi.
The Directorate General of Traffic Coordination has also received a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying that Egyptian Customs Department has issued a circular regarding the vehicles bearing Customs number plates and temporarily released. Egyptian Authorities have decided that such vehicles will not be allowed to be driven by unauthorized persons.
"Only the vehicle owner who is temporarily authorized to drive the vehicle. He should not allow any other person to drive the vehicle. If it is discovered that the vehicle is driven by an unauthorized person it will be re-exported and the individual shall be prohibited from temporary release of any other vehicle for two years", added Brigadier Al Zaabi.
Al Zaabi has urged owners of vehicles which are temporarily released and exported in their names and to Egypt as tourists shall abide by the instructions issued by the Egyptian Customs Department to avoid any legal actions against them. The Directorate general of Traffic Coordination has notified Traffic and Licensing Departments in the country and Dubai Roads and Transport Authority with the new rules for their further action. The Traffic and Licensing Departments, Directorate General of Outlets and Airports and Dubai Roads and Transport Authority have been notifies to circulate the new procedures to transport companies.
