Fast Tracking Cross-Border Flows in a Crisis

The challenges that countries in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region faced prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to alter the manner in which crossborder business takes place in the region. This matter was the focus of the World Customs Organization (WCO) ESA Regional Private Sector Consultative Group (RPSG) webinar — the 6th of its kind — held online on 21 May.

The meeting deliberated on some of the most pertinent customs- and trade- related matters, with specific focus on how the pandemic has influenced the situation.

The webinar was chaired by Juanita Maree, (WCO ESA-RPSG and SAAFF Director). She was joined by four leading customs panellists:

Larry Liza – Director – World Customs Organization: East & Southern Africa,

Regional Office for Capacity Building

Patrick Gyan – Regional Development Manager, East and Southern Africa Region

Fermin Cuza – International President – World Business Alliance for Secure

Commerce Organization (World BASC, a member of WCO-PSCG)

Kazem Asayesh – Senior Advisor – TIR and Transit Services, World Road Transport Organisation (member of WCO-PSCG)

The session explored the following:

Lessons learned from COVID-19

- Authoised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme: New developments during and after COVID-19 and

- Cross-border road freight and in transit cargo movements

- Patrick Gyan highlighted the ongoing need for continued communication and collaboration – beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. He also stressed the need for innovation and for the industry to be bold and venture out.

“From a customs background, based on our nature, we hesitate to become more innovative,”

said Gyan.

“Now is the time to really take up some of the programmes that we have hesitated on. We are looking at paperless customs for example. Now is the time to really appreciate that customs’ work is to operate on that model or in that environment”.

Larry Liza shared some the key lessons learned:

There is a very strong need for investment in ICT infrastructure. We only have about 50% efficiency in IT infrastructure in the ESA region, when compared to Western Europe. Revenue administrations need to put more emphasis on ICT infrastructure.

The need for innovation in the domestic industry,especially in light of a weakening domestic industry.

The importance of e-commerce and emerging technologies, which we are going toneed more than ever. Blockchain is going to be used more and more. The use of drones and customs robotics will also grow, as it will decrease the intrusion on people and personnel.

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