With the establishment of the EAC Single Customs Territory (SCT) and the implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) being priorities for the EAC countries, Customs Administrations in the region are becoming better trade enablers without compromising the safety of their country.
At the recent EAC meeting in Tanzania, participants welcomed the extension of the WCO-EAC Customs for Regional East Africa TradE (WCO-EAC CREATe project) to a second phase. The WCO-EAC CREATe project will especially focus on supporting Customs Administrations in the region with the roll-out of a regional Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme. One outcome from the project is to provide compliant traders with preferential trading facilities.
In the course of the project steering committee held in Dar Es Salaam from 4th to 5th of March 2015, the EAC Secretary stated that the project also creates an opportunity to further enhance regional integration and bring development closer to the people of East Africa.
Mr. Erich Kieck, WCO Director Capacity Building, added that the WCO applauded the significant progress made during the first phase of the project and that he is confident that the second phase will live up to the WCO’s vision that "Borders divide and Customs connect".
On his part, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Deputy-Commissioner for Customs, Dr. Patrick Mugoya, who chaired the steering committee meeting was optimistic that the project will enhance trade facilitation in the region and increase the involvement of stakeholders and other cross-border regulatory agencies in decision-making as far as international trade is concerned.
The WCO-EAC CREATe project, funded by the government of Sweden, will continue until December 2018.
For more information, please contact Mr. Wakoli Wambati (WCO-EAC CREATe Project Manager): wakoli.wambati@wcoomd.org