Passengers will still be able to carry currency or gold both in and out of Bahrain despite tougher security measures, a Bahrain Customs spokesman said.

However, passengers arriving or departing Bahrain could be asked to disclose the value of currencies or gold they are carrying, the official told the GDN, our sister publication,.

The move follows amendments to a law on the prevention and prohibition of money laundering and terrorist financing.

"Passengers arriving or departing Bahrain might be requested by Customs or security authorities to disclose the value of any local or foreign currencies, gold bullion or other negotiable instruments that are in their possession," said the spokesman.

"People are free to carry currencies or gold. However, we may ask some passengers to fill in a form.

"Once their bags are scanned and if the Customs official feels the amount declared is less, they may be asked to open the bags for an inspection.

"This is just a normal procedure followed by Customs authorities in all countries."

The spokesman added that Bahrain would not add more procedures because of its reputation as a leading financial centre.

"We do not want to create any inconvenience to passengers," he said. "We work in close co-ordination with the Interior Ministry and the Central Bank of Bahrain," said the spokesman.-TradeArabia News Service