From April 29 to May 4, 2018, Foad Elsayed Osman, Chairman of the Egyptian General Authority for Land and Dry Ports (GALDP), visited the United States. He was accompanied by Doyle Amidon, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Attaché to Egypt, during a CBP International Visitors Program (IVP) visit.
The visit was organized in collaboration with the US Embassy in Cairo, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Department of State’s Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program. EXBS funded this visit.
GALDP is tasked with developing land ports, enhancing performance, modernizing roadways, expanding networks for future needs, developing inland waterway transportation services, ensuring their security, and planning national railway networks. The authority is also responsible for creating an automated targeting system for Egyptian Land and Dry Ports.
The aim of the visit was to showcase United States Customs and Border Protection best practices for potential use at Egyptian Ports of Entry. This initiative seeks to strengthen relationships with counterparts in Egypt to enhance information sharing and improve safety and security for both nations.
“Our approach was to show the GALDP Chairman General how CBP conducts business,” said CBP Attaché Doyle Amidon. He escorted Chairman General Osman to three distinct CBP Office of Field Operations Ports of Entry: Bridge of the Americas in El Paso, Presidio in Texas, and Boquillas in Big Bend National Park.
In El Paso, senior officials provided a tour highlighting primary and secondary port operations. The focus was on detecting unauthorized items while encouraging legal travel and trade into the US using advanced scanner technology and canines.
General Osman received an aerial tour from the CBP El Paso Air Branch showcasing POE layout from above. The Director of Air Operations presented on AMO activities within the El Paso Air Branch Area of Responsibility.
In Presidio, Osman observed how CBP replicates port practices on a smaller scale. Despite its size, Presidio faces challenges similar to larger ports. The Port Director offered informative presentations on operations at both Presidio and Boquillas Ports of Entry.
At Big Bend National Park's remote location, Osman observed operational challenges firsthand. He noted potential applications for technology used at Boquillas POE at similar remote locations in Egypt.
This visit marked a fruitful phase of collaboration between CBP and GALDP. Attaché Amidon anticipates another visit in FY2019 to discuss further support for Egypt's Automated Targeting System – Global.
INA Assistant Commissioner Ian Saunders praised increased engagement with Egypt: “This visit is another solid example of how INA works with CBP operational components...by highlighting CBP best practices.”