The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the multi-year framework support of the “Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernization Programme for Sustainable Development Sub-Saharan Africa” (Sida-WCO TFCM Programme) assisted the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) in implementing the Time Release Study (TRS) at the Mamuno border from January 8 to 20, 2024. This initiative marks a significant step in the development of a One-Stop Border Post (OSBP), aiming to enhance Botswana’s trade facilitation and economic progress.
Embodying the 2024 theme of the WCO, "Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose," the mission commenced with a formal courtesy visit to the Commissioner-General of the BURS. This visit not only marked the beginning of the mission but also symbolized the strength of collaboration between BURS, its stakeholders, and international partners, forming a resilient foundation for the TRS.
The TRS seeks to establish a baseline of current operations at the Mamuno border, which borders the Republic of Namibia, aligning the future OSBP with global best practices. A detailed preparatory stage, leveraging WCO's technical expertise, set the groundwork for the study. This phase included developing and validating questionnaires and conducting pilot tests, ensuring the data collection process was both rigorous and accurate. From January 13th to 19th 2024, the TRS Working Group together with Enumerators undertook an intensive data collection exercise. This one-week period was dedicated to gathering crucial data to inform the structural and procedural improvements needed for the border post, capturing a snapshot of current operations and identifying potential areas for enhancement.
A key outcome of this assistance has prepared the BURS to further conduct Phase 3 of the TRS, which focuses on data analysis. This critical data analysis phase would involve the application of insights and expertise acquired during the mission to effectively analyze the collected data. With enhanced understanding and skills, the BURS are expected to adeptly handle this analytical phase, thereby contributing significantly to the comprehensive assessment and improvement of the cargo clearance processes at the Mamuno border.
This phase of the TRS represents a significant step in the journey towards completing the study successfully, as it plays an instrumental role in establishing the proposed OSBP. By thoroughly examining and refining the cargo clearance process, BURS is moving closer to achieving a streamlined and efficient system. The successful completion of this TRS is anticipated to lay a strong foundation, highlighting Botswana's dedication to optimizing trade efficiency and enhancing the efficacy of border operations.
The Sida-WCO TFCM Programme is committed to providing further complementary technical assistance to BURS to guarantee the completion of the final TRS report.
For more information on TRS, please contact: TRS@wcoomd.org