Uganda tips EAC States on customs administration to grow trade

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Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has advised customs administrators to integrate with e-commerce players to facilitate the growth of trade in the East African region.

URA commissioner for customs Abel Kagumire made the call while speaking at the Sectoral Committee of Customs meeting that was held at the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania.

The meeting brings together Commissioners of Customs from within the region.

“There is a need for Customs Authorities to integrate their systems with e-commerce players such as courier companies to adapt to the new trends and facilitate the growth of trade in the EAC,” Kagumire stated.

He also urged them to continue engaging stakeholders and support capacity building. Kagumire’s call is considering the growing challenge of balancing the need for trade facilitation alongside increased revenue targets.

During the meeting, Annette Ssemuwemba the Acting Secretary General of the East African Community welcomed the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia who are the latest members in the EAC.

She urged the Commissioners to revive the spirit of regional integration by personally attending regional engagements.

Other areas of discussion during the meeting included the implementation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT), Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Tariff and Valuation, Compliance and Enforcement, Capacity Building Initiatives, E-commerce, and the challenges it poses to Customs as well as the Implementation of previous Decisions of the Council of Ministers of the EAC among others.