African customs present modernization strategy

World Customs Organization region of West and Central Africa (AOC-MDGs) has presented a modernization strategy to attract the interest of donors as well as create a network of donors in favour of the customs reform on Wednesday in Yaoundé.

As customs in Central and West Africa have started a process of modernization of their administrations, this project is to facilitate trade, strengthen control over goods and people to ensure the safety and protection of society and the environment.

This reform involves simplifying procedures, improving the control system, upgrading computer systems and protection of the economic system.

For Minette Libom Likeng Li, general manager of Cameroon Customs, "this reform is expensive” hence, the opening of the first pledging conference of the World Customs Organization region of West and Central Africa (AOC-MDGs).

As stated by the Minister of Finance, Alamine Ousmane Mey, "the resources allocated for the modernization of customs remain somewhat inadequate. Customs need the support of government, technical partners and donors."

Thus, discussions will go in the direction of mobilization and optimization of resources for the financing of reform programs and customs modernization in this part of the continent. For now, the Japanese government, the African Union, the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) are among the other partners.

The work is taking place elsewhere on the theme "Financing Constraints and Opportunities for customs modernization policies in the context of facilitating and securing trade".

This is the appropriate framework, according to the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Kunio Mikuriya, "to understand and to learn about the customs requirements and expectations of the partners."

According to Minette Libom Likeng Li, the vice president of MDG-AOC was to continue the communication and outreach programs to be organized by Customs in the development and consolidation of savings.

Indeed, customs of West and Central Africa aspire to carry out projects to improve the health of citizens, economic prosperity, eradicating poverty and reducing inequalities. The conference ends on Thursday in Yaoundé.