Republic of Mauritius- AU Customs Technical Working Group meeting focuses on Interconnectivity of Computerised Customs Clearance Systems

The main objective of the three-day workshop is to reflect, share ideas and chart the way forward on the Mapping of Data Elements so that African Union (AU) member States can benefit from interconnectivity and for this to be done in a harmonised and coordinated manner.

In his address, the Director General of the MRA, highlighted that the World Customs Organisation recognises the importance of interconnectivity and has thus developed a three-pronged approach consisting of namely: people connectivity, institutional connectivity and Information connectivity.  Technology, he said, is a driving catalyst for the connectivity agenda, in particular between the Customs administration, its economic operators and international trade organisations.

According to Mr Lal, technology can provide innovative new ways to drive and enhance connectivity, giving Customs significant new opportunities to transform its operations and effectiveness. The need for interconnectivity, he said, has become even more crucial given that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement has recently entered into force. He observed that the African continent is more likely to become the largest free trade area and intra African trade is expected to be considerably boosted, adding that seamless trade can only be achieved through a high degree of connectivity between the Customs administration and various stakeholders involved in trade movements.

Speaking on the need for Information Systems to enable effortless and effective communication to be able to understand data elements being exchanged, Mr Lal listed out the various reforms undertaken by the MRA which include Paperless Customs, Single Window, Port Community System, Registration of Vehicles and adopting modern control techniques, enhancing connectivity and resorting to international standards and best practices. 

As for the Head of Customs Cooperation Division of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission, he underlined that the coming into force of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement plays a key role in helping the African continent attain its goals and aspirations and   may eventually help to increase intra-African trade by 52% by 2022 and double intra-African trade, which is currently at around 13%.  Mr. Moussa pointed out that the continent continues to progressively improve trade-related infrastructure as well as regulatory frameworks for the implementation of single window systems.  On that note, he urged member States of the AU to consider interconnecting customs systems with neighboring States in order to share vital information.

He stressed on the need to have an ongoing collaboration between the Government and the private sector to set up a global Customs network to support the international trading system. The creation of such a network also implies the setting up of an international network e-Customs system that will provide seamless information flow and connectivity. This, he said, will necessitate some 92,000 km of fiber-optic connections, hence an investment of $ 1 billion for an international network of underwater fibers and $ 1.6 billion for regional connectivity.