SACU trade facilitation operational plan on the cards

By Ntombi Mhlongo

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU), of which the Kingdom of Eswatini is a member, is developing an operational plan that will be used to guide the full implementation of the SACU Trade Facilitation and Logistics Programme.

This will also articulate new projects to be pursued in the various areas of focus. The organisation’s Acting Executive Secretary Alma Andrade said it is clear that the ambition of SACU to accelerate the implementation of the SACU Trade Facilitation and Logistics Programme requires solid knowledge-based and a foundation for customs and multiple stakeholders that are mandated to facilitate trade.

“Working with our partners and stakeholders, we stand ready to nurture the next generation and to promote a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional ride in customs,” she said.

She commended SACU Heads of Customs from Botswana Unified Revenue Service, Eswatini Revenue Authority, Lesotho Revenue Authority, Namibia Revenue Authority, and South Africa Revenue Service and their respective officials for their leadership and dedication towards enhancing and strengthening cooperation and collaboration on customs in SACU under the SACU Customs Modernisation Programme.

“The abovementioned achievements and successes recorded clearly demonstrate the level of commitment on the part of customs in the SACU region”.

She also thanked the financial and technical support from partners that have worked with SACU previously and recently to progress the work of customs in the region.

These include the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Government of the United Kingdom. This year, SACU commemorated International Customs Day under the theme “Nurturing the next generation: promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs”.

Andrade said this theme perfectly suits the current global environment, as most countries around the globe are still recovering from the impact of Covid-19 and other economic headwinds affecting international and cross-border trade.

Elaborating, she said the theme for 2023 augurs well with the pressing demand to strengthen mutual knowledge to build a solid foundation and base for Customs across the globe.

“Customs fraternity should be ready at all times to respond to global issues affecting international trade ranging from black swan events, wars, pandemics, unrests, cyber security, and other unforeseen events of our times. It is through knowledge and skills that customs can be enabled and empowered to support governments across the world both during business as usual and during times of crisis”.