Customs meeting urges enhanced co-operation for regional development

THE recent World Customs Organisation East and Southern Africa (WCO-ESA) 40th regional steering group meeting held in Victoria Falls has amplified calls for members to contribute towards attainment of national and regional development goals.

WCO-ESA is a global body that focuses on expertise in customs, trade facilitation, revenue mobilisation, protection of society and development of human capital for the customs authorities of East and Southern Africa.

The bloc has 24 members from East and Southern Africa including Zimbabwe, with Mauritius the current chair.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) hosted the meeting, which started on Wednesday, on behalf of Zimbabwe and sought to shape a future for the region’s customs.

Speaking virtually at the close of the meeting, Zimra Commissioner-General Ms Regina Chinamasa said it was an honour for Zimbabwe to host the event to address emerging issues such as digitisation, automation, security, green customs and others.

“The key objective of this meeting was to come up with a WCO ESA regional group meeting and also to have a strategy being put in place. I would like to extend my gratitude to each one of you for your active participation and contribution to enhancing regional co-operation and integration,” she said.

“The strategic discussions will have a lasting impact on our regional trade facilitation, compliance and security efforts. The WCO ESA region is a critical pillar to the global economy.

“There is vast potential from a customs perspective and for the benefit of our nations and regions. “As we navigate the challenges posed by climate change, it is imperative that we incorporate green customs to our strategies to mitigate environmental impacts.”

Ms Chinamasa said other emerging issues include digitisation, automation, security, intelligence sharing and upholding integrity, which are essential to modernising customs.

Mr Dinathsingh Mungla

She said the outcomes of the meeting will enable the region’s customs to improve operations, adding that customs play a critical role in enhancing African Union and United Nations goals.

“I am optimistic that the final regional strategy (2025-2028) will align with ambitious goals of Agenda 2030 and AU Agenda 2063.

“We need to up our game and accelerate implementation and attainment of objectives in the areas that we are still lagging behind,” she said.

“Customs administration play a key role in attainment of general and specific strategic pillars of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

“Revenue collection and trade facilitation functions by our administrations contribute to the respective Treasury, which finances national development plans and improvement of quality of lives.”

Ms Chinamasa said customs shape the future of trade as she thanked development partners for support. She said the regional strategic should look into contemporary issues facing communities.

WCO ESA chair, Mr Dinathsingh Mungla, who is Mauritius’ Section head for the customs department, said the regional body was grateful for hospitality by Zimbabwe government.

WCO ESA director Mr Larry Liza, said the report adopted by the meeting speaks to consented information exchange, enhanced digitalisation and continued cooperation among other areas.

“We have developed an outline for the region and laid a framework for the strategy development with four areas that need to be covered.

“The strategy covers efficient trade facilitation and regional integration, enhanced revenue mobilisation and digitalisation, protection of society and environment, and upholding principles of professionalism and partnerships among members,” he said. — chroncile