1 AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA PO Box 3243 ...

13 Pages·2013·0.5 MB·English

by  Francois Jean Noel

AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE

UNIÃO AFRICANA

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Telephone: [phone] Fax: 011-
551 7844
web site : www. africa-union.org

3rd AFRICAN UNION CUSTOMS TECHNICAL
WORKING GROUP WORKSHOP ON
INTERCONNECTIVITY OF COMPUTERIZED
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE SYSTEMS

19 – 21 November 2012 Doc: CCD/TWG/3.ICT/AM1
Brazzaville Original: English
Republic of Congo

DRAFT REPORT

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DRAFT REPORT OF 3rd AFRICAN UNION CUSTOMS TECHNICAL WORKING
GROUP WORKSHOP ON INTERCONNECTIVITY OF
COMPUTERIZED CUSTOMS CLEARANCE SYSTEMS

19 – 21 November 2021, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Introduction

1. The 3rd Technical Working Group Workshop on interconnectivity of computerized
Customs Clearance Systems in Africa was held from 19 - 21 November 2012 in
Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. It was chaired by Mr. Delphin Houenou, representative of
Benin who holds the current Chairmanship of the AU Sub-Committee of Directors General
of Customs (AUSCDGC). The main objective of the 3rd workshop was to pursue the work
and finalize the Guidelines on the formulation of the Policy Statement on interconnectivity
of Customs Computerized Clearance Systems as per recommendations of the
AUSCDGC during their 4th Ordinary Session meeting held in Addis Ababa from 6-7
September 2012. The expectation was that the finalized Guidelines would in due time, be
presented to the relevant policy organs of the Union for adoption. In addition, the
workshop was expected to draft a Roadmap and Strategy for Interconnectivity in Africa.

Participation

2. The following Member States and RECs participated in the workshop: Algeria,
Benin, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, DR Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius,
Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. The following RECs, IGOs and International Organizations also
participated in the workshop: CEMAC, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS, SADC, UNECA,
UNCTAD and WCO. The list of participants is attached as Annex 1.

Agenda Item 1: Opening of the Workshop

Statement by the Director General of the Congolese Customs

3. In his statement Mr Jean Alfred Onanga Director General of the Congolese
Customs highlighted the delay noted in the coordination of the RECs in the process of
establishment of Free Trade Areas and Customs Unions. He pinpointed the weak link in
cross border trade which lies in lack of information. He further recalled the progress made
during the previous Workshop of the Working Group including recommending the
formulation of a policy on interconnection of computerized customs systems. The policy
should include the formulation of clear guidelines at the national, regional and continental
levels, as well as technical and managerial capacity building through the utilization of
Networked Customs Systems that enhance information flow, transparency in decision
making, and fast track operations. The Director General of the Congolese Customs
shared his country’s experience on interconnection with DRC. To conclude, he insisted on
the importance of political participation in achieving interconnection of customs
administrations.

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Statement by the Representative of the African Union Commission

4. In his preliminary remarks, the Head of the Customs Cooperation Division of the
African Union commended the Government and the people of Congo for hosting this
workshop and the invitees present for accepting the Commission’s invitation to participate
in the workshop. After a brief mention of the objectives of the Abuja Treaty and one of its
limitations in regard to the silence of that instrument on the modalities for attaining the
Continental Customs Union, he recalled the decision of the AU Summit of Heads of
States and Government to establish a Continental Free Trade Area. Trade Facilitation is
one of the main clusters of this project and within the desired Trade Facilitation
programme, interconnectivity of computerized Customs systems is a key component. He
highlighted some of the initiatives already under way at the level of the regions and of the
continent and laid emphasis on the expected output of the workshop. While expressing
his confidence in the experience and wisdom of the participants present in the
achievement of the objectives, he concluded by wishing success to the workshop.

Speech by the Junior Minister to the Ministry of Economy, Finance, Planning,
Public Portfolio and Integration

5. The Honourable Minister Leon Raphael Mokoko in charge of Planning and
Integration thanked the AU Commission for choosing the Republic of Congo to host the
meeting, which is in line with the interest of His Excellency Denis Sassou Nguesso,
President of the Republic of Congo, in the African Union in general and issues of the
continent’s economic integration in particular. He then recalled the objectives of the
Abuja Treaty in terms of economic integration before addressing the WTO relevant
provisions related to trade facilitation. He furthermore focused on the objectives of the
current Workshop and urged the participants to put their skills and competences at the
disposal of the African Community. Finally, on behalf of the Senior Minister, Minister of
Economy, Finance, Planning, Public Portfolio and Integration, he declared the third
Workshop of the Technical Working Group of the African Union on Interconnectivity of
Computerized Customs Clearance Systems open.

Agenda Item 2: Adoption of the Agenda

6. The agenda of the Workshop as well as the following working hours were adopted
without amendment. The agenda is attached as Annex II.

Morning: 09hrs00 – 13hrs00
Afternoon: 14hrs30 - 17hrs30

Agenda Item 3: Update on the Work of the Trade and Industry Department on
Boosting Intra Africa Trade and fast tracking the Continental Free Trade Area
(CFTA)

7. The consideration of this agenda item started with a presentation by the Commission
on the genesis of the Summit Decision on Boosting Intra-African Trade and fast tracking
the CFTA, the roadmap and the work that has been done so far. The intended objective
of the AU Summit theme of the year 2012 on “Boosting Intra-African Trade” was to
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agree on an Action Plan and a Strategic Framework to boost intra-African trade that will
benefit African populations and reinforce Member States’ commitment to the process. The
strategy builds upon the efforts and initiatives carried out by the Regional Economic
Communities (RECs) and the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite process under way. It is
expected that negotiations will commence in the year 2015 and the CFTA be in place
hopefully by the indicative date of 2017. Work planned and in some cases already
carried out this year is the clarification of some issues of concern raised during the
January Summit, the establishment of the High Level African Trade Committee (HATC)
and adoption of its Terms of Reference, the 4th Meeting of the AUSCDGC restyled
Customs Technical Committee (CTC) and the continuation of Customs Harmonization
programmes which were already under way.

8. In the discussions that ensued, the Workshop exchanged views on several areas such
as the causes of low intra Africa trade, the need for the realization of free movement of
people and factors of production, the need for updating statistics relating to the CFTA and
the CFTA architecture.

Agenda Item 4: Briefing on the outcomes of the 4th Meeting AU Sub-Committee of
Directors General of Customs

9. Under this agenda item, the Chair of the Workshop briefed the meeting on the main
conclusions and recommendations of the 4th Meeting of the AUSCDGC held in A/Ababa
in September 2012. Emphasis was laid on the recommendations that emanated from the
Directors General when they considered the status of the work done in the area of
Customs interconnectivity.

10. After the briefing, the Workshop specifically focused its discussions on the
recommendations made by the Directors General on Interconnectivity and made the
following observations

 There is need to develop a complete action plan for the implementation of the
recommendations;
 Funding of interconnectivity projects and programs can be resolved with adequate
political will; and
 Member States need to implement regional legal frameworks on interconnectivity
where they have already been agreed.

Agenda Item 5: Matters arising from the 2nd TWG Workshop on Interconnectivity

11. The AUC presented the major outcomes of the 2nd Workshop of the Technical
Working Group that was held in Bujumbura Burundi in May 2011. The AUC informed the
meetings that the major outcomes of the Workshop were draft Guidelines for the
Formulation of a Statement of Policy on Interconnectivity and a set of recommendations,
which have since been adopted by the 4th Meeting of the African Union Sub Committee of
Directors General of Customs.

12. The 3rd Workshop emphasized the need for the implementation of the
recommendations and called upon all the stakeholders to take up their respective roles in
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this endeavor. Specifically the Workshop reemphasized the need for a comprehensive
study on the state of computerization and Interconnectivity in Africa.

Agenda Item 6: Presentations by the RECs on the Assessment and updates of
Computerization and Interconnectivity of Customs Clearance Systems in Member
states

Presentation by ECOWAS

13. The presentation of the ECOWAS Commission highlighted the development of the
interconnectivity project of ECOWAS since the holding of the second Workshop in
Bujumbura in May 2011, namely:
 The holding of the meeting of the Working Group on interconnectivity in June 2011
in Lomé; the Customs Directors General from members States took part in that
meeting which validated the various documents, studies and reports on the project;
 The holding of meeting of the Technical Committee, Steering Committee and
Ministers in charge of the project in Ouagadougou in November 2011. Those
meetings adopted the conclusions and documents of Lomé meeting; and
 The signing of an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNCTAD and
ECOWAS Commission in October 2012 in view to establish an ECOWAS Regional
Excellence Centre in Lomé.

Presentation by SADC

14. The representative from the SADC Secretariat, Mr Kassee Dhunraj made a
presentation on interconnectivity and data exchange within SADC. He made reference to
the common COMESA-SADC Transit Management Information System (SADCOM)
currently being developed under the COMESA-SADC cooperation. The presenter
informed that at its 22nd meeting, the SADC Sub Committee on Customs Cooperation
(Heads of Customs) had noted that the SADCOM system should be developed based on
the following 5 pillars:
a) Connectivity and data exchange,
b) Track and trace,
c) Risk management,
d) Bond management, and
e) Legislation as an enabling mechanism.

15. The Heads of Customs agreed that Implementation of the SADCOM System
should start with the connectivity and the data exchange mechanism which should be
based on the WCO GNC Interconnectivity Utility Block and piloted along the North-South
Corridor being the busiest transit route in the region by July 2013.

16. Finally, the meeting was informed about the satellite based wide area network of
the Regional Early Warning Centre (REWC) of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and
Security Cooperation. Provision is being made for regional programs to leverage on this
infrastructure of the REWC for electronic communication and information exchange
among Member States and with the Secretariat.

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Presentation by EAC

17. A representative from the East African Community (EAC) outlined trade facilitation
challenges the Regional Economic Community (REC) is facing in the implementation of
the Customs Union. These include cumbersome import and export procedures,
inadequate information exchange and interoperability of customs systems, inadequate
coordination with other government agencies involved in cargo clearance, limited
awareness of regulatory requirements by the trading community and poor basic
infrastructure such as electricity and internet access.

18. Customs information and communication technologies (ICT) initiatives
implemented by the REC so far include, carrying out a feasibility Study on Customs
Interconnectivity in the EAC region to assess the current state of customs automation and
recommendations have been made to enable interconnectivity of customs systems.
Customs ICT regulations to provide an enabling Legal framework for electronic
transactions, development of the Revenue Authorities Digital Data Exchange (RADDEx)
platform for the exchange of transit advance cargo data and providing the private sector
with information needed to fulfill their tax obligations through a trade information portal.

19. Among the proposed initiatives which are still at concept stage include, Electronic
Single Window System framework to guide partner states when they are implementing
national single window systems, Regional Electronic Valuation Database to act a
common reference point for valuation decisions in the customs union and the Regional
Risk Management and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Information System.

Presentation by ECCAS

20. In his presentation, ECCAS Representative stated that out of ten member States
six of them being also CEMAC members nine are using ASYCUDA ++; Only one
member, notably, Equatorial Guinea is in the process of computerization of customs
services. Concerning interconnection, he indicated that the interconnection project of
CEMAC countries with gradual extension to other ECCAS member states is part of the
core element of the Community’s Authorities.

21. The objective of the said extension project is to achieve:
 Reliable, comprehensive, homogenous data;
 Standardized format;
 Reliable, user-friendly, modern and evolutionary processing system;
 A comprehensive and standardized data collection medium

Presentation by CEMAC

22. CEMAC Commission, guarantor of Customs instruments of the Sub regional
Trade policy intends to support customs administrations in their reform and modernization
process in order to build their operational capacity and help them to accommodate to new
international trade environment. In this regard it grants to member States an multiform
institutional support, especially in the field of interconnectivity of computerized customs
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systems. That bid and ambitious project that started in 2009 is expected to extend to all
Central African Countries customs administrations mainly ton those outside CEMAC area.

23. In order to implement the project, CEMAC received financial assistance from
European Union and technical assistance from UNCTAD.

24. The experimental phase started with two pilot corridors namely: Douala-Bangui
line and Douala-Ndjamena line. The objectives are, inter alia, the operational capacity
building of Central African customs administrations through automation of import-export
and transit procedures in conformity with international standards, the supply of modern
automated tool for the management of clearance operations, harmonization of customs
operations and reinforcement of data exchange between customs administrations.

25. The activities implemented since the launching of the project are concerned with,
inter alia, the establishment of ASYCUDA Regional Center within CEMAC, the
computerized platform at the level of regional center to provide training and assistance to
countries of the Sub region, procurement of computer equipment and network,
experimentation of transit modules.

26. The experimental phase has already started through a series of training sessions
which took place from 12 to 16 November 2012 at the Community headquarters’ in
Bangui (CAR) and are expected to continue in Cameroon and Chad. The effective
implementation of the project will take place after assessment of the experimental phase.

Presentation by CONGO

27. The Representative of Congolese Customs first of all placed his presentation in a
context where cross border and intra-regional trade play a key word in the exchanges. He
recalled the concerns of AU Directors General of Customs, the importance of the
utilization of a common system for many African countries which is ASYCUDA and the
development of the new concept of Cloud Computing for the networking of Customs
Service. He then stressed on the objectives of interconnectivity and Congo’s strategy for
its implementation. He presented the history of the interconnectivity project of WCO West
and Central Africa (WCA) Region and proceeded on the experience of implementation of
the interconnectivity system between Congo and DRC, and between Congo and the
Central African Republic. He raised the point that the implementation of interconnection
project of African Customs Information Systems particularly in the WCO/ WCA is
stumbling on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Customs Data
Exchange and the building of communication infrastructures between countries.

28. A consultant from Modelis made a detailed presentation, based on two emerging
projects, namely a study for the setting a platform of customs and fiscal administrations
and computerized system of one stop border posts pilot project, managed by WAEMU
Commission

29. The discussions that followed the presentations related mainly to seeking
clarifications on the various programs that are being undertaken by the RECs in the area
of interconnectivity and the challenges being met. A representative of UNCTAD then
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briefed the Workshop on the solutions it is offering for Customs Management Systems
and Transit that can help in Customs to Customs data exchange.

Agenda Item 7: Presentation by the WCO on Globally Networked Customs and the
Safe Framework of Standards to secure and Facilitate Trade

30. A Representative of the WCO made a presentation on the Globally Networked
Customs (GNC), SAFE Framework and Economic Competitiveness Package. He
emphasized that the GNC initiative is under the concept-proof phases and more Utility
Blocks should be developed based on Members’ contributions. The importance of
Integrated Supply Chain Management was pointed out in the presentation to enhance the
interconnectivity among Customs administration. He also explained the outline of ECP
which is a recent important WCO initiative.

31. Participants made substantive comments on the presentation. In particular, it was
reaffirmed that the Revised Kyoto Convention, which is recognized as a core of WCO
existing tools and instruments for economic growth, is crucially important for the African
Union.

32. During the discussions, the participants acknowledged the importance of a
massive adherence of Member States to the Revised Kyoto Convention and to its
annexes and encourage Customs administrations of member States to adhere to policies
of reform and modernization of customs especially in the field of computerization geared
towards interconnection of computerized systems. They also wished to be assisted in the
field of instructional, finance, human and logistic capacity building by AUC, WCO, AEC,
ADB and other institutions.

Agenda Item 8: Consideration of the Guidelines on the Formulation of a Draft
Policy Statement on Interconnectivity Of computerized Customs Clearance
Systems

33. Under this agenda item, the Workshop examined the Draft Guidelines for the
Formulation of a Policy Statement on Interconnectivity of computerized Customs
clearance System in light of the recommendations of the 4th meeting of the AU Directors
General of Customs, that required the Technical Working Group to consider issues of the
Global Networked Customs and the WCO Safe Framework of Standards to secure and
facilitate the Global Supply Chain:

34. The workshop observed that most of the elements of the GNC and the Safe
Framework were already included in the Draft Guidelines but that there is need to expand
on them: In addition the Workshop also observed that the issue of Coordination needs to
be augmented. The Workshop further recommended that there is need to include issues
of assessment of progress, stakeholders and their roles, clear time frames and
harmonization of data elements. The Draft Policy Statement is attached to the report as
annex III

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Agenda Item 9: Future work: - Drafting a Road Map and Strategy on Continental
Interconnectivity of Computerized Customs Clearance Systems

35. Under this item, a representative of the AUC made a brief presentation of a draft
proposal for a Roadmap on Interconnectivity in Africa. He informed the Workshop that the
need for a roadmap and strategy emanated from the recommendations of the 4th Meeting
of the Directors General of Customs. The presentation then highlighted the underlying
principles of the Roadmap and its elements as well as the general structure of the
strategy.

36. After the presentation, the workshop made the following observations and
recommendations:-

(i) The Roadmap and Strategy be renamed to as “Roadmap and Strategy for the
Continental Interconnectivity of Computerized Customs Information System” in
order to give it a wider scope
(ii) The Stages of the Roadmap be reorganized to four stages with Stage one
dedicated to ensuring the preparedness of Member States for Interconnectivity
and Interconnectivity between and among them.
(iii) The Strategy should include a strategic objective dedicated to allowing
interconnectivity for member states with common interests
(iv) The AUC should set up a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the
implementation of Interconnectivity in Africa and Coordinate the mapping of data
elements for the exchange of data based on the WCO GNC Utility Block, Data
Model and other instruments and tools
(v) The RECs should identify appropriate architecture to manage data exchange
and interconnectivity and draft Model MOUs to be used by Member states for
interconnectivity
(vi) The RECs establish legal Frameworks and amend customs laws and
procedures to accommodate electronic data exchange
(vii) The member states should ensure preparedness to manage and implement
automated customs information systems

37. The amended Roadmap and Strategy are attached to this report as Annex VI

Agenda Item 10: Any Other Business

38. Under this item, the Workshop raised the need for continuous
interaction/communication among the Members of the Technical Working Group. To this
end, the Democratic Republic of Congo offered to work on a internet based portal that
would allow for the continuous interaction and communication for the Group.

Agenda Item 11: Adoption of the Workshop Report

39. The workshop adopted its report with minor amendments.

Agenda Item 12: Closure of the Workshop

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ANNEX I

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

MEMBER STATES
ALGERIA REPUBLIC of CONGO
1. M r. Akli IMECAOUDENE 6. Mr. Jean Afred ONANGA
Direction Générale des Douanes, Directeur Générale des Douanes et de Droits
Algériennes Indirects
Direction Générale des Douanes, Docteur BP 75 Brazzaville, Rep. du Congo
Saadane Alger Tel.: [phone]
Tel: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]
Fax : [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] 7. Mr. Arsene Bakoulou-VINGOU
[email protected] Directeur Général, Office Congolais
BENIN d’Informatique
O.C.I. B.P. 2084
2. M r. Delphin HOUENOU
Brazzaville, Rep. du Congo
Chef Service Informatique
Douanes Béninoises
01 BP 400 Cotonou, Benin 8. Mr. Richard LOUNDOU
Chef de Section Ville Technologique et
Tel: [phone]
Documentation
E-mail: [email protected]
Brazzaville, Rep. du Congo
CAMEROON
Tel: +242 05 0
3. M r. Pierre Marie TSATCHOU
65 92 64
Chef de Cellule des Travaux Spéciaux
Email: [email protected]
Douane, Camerounaises

BP 4049 Douala, Cameroun
Mme. Amona CAROLE
Tel: [phone].
Chef de Service Etudes de la Prévision et de
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] l’informatique Niari, Bouenza, Lekoomou
Douanes Congolaises
Dolesie, Rep. du Congo
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

COMOROS 10. Mr. Bakala Bonsventure
4. M r. Moindjie MMADI Chef de Services Généraux
Directeur National Sydonia Douane de Brawaville
Direction Générale Des Douane Brazzaville, Rep. du Congo
Moroni, Comoros Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone] Email: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC DU CONGO 11. Mr. Dzambouabeka CLEMENT
5. M r. Hamuli BYENDA Chef de Service Informatique Douanes Congo
Sous-Directeur des Systèmes et Tel: [phone] 61 05 65
Technologies E-mail: [email protected]
Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises,
Kinshasa, D.R. Congo 12. Mr. Lawrent NDOVO
Tel: [phone] Chef de Section Equipement et Environnement
E-mail: [email protected] Informatique Département de BZV
144 Bis Rue Djambala BZV
Tel. : [phone]
Email: [email protected]
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