Successful trade facilitation requires reducing burdensome documentary requirements, aligning with international standards, and improving competitiveness in the domain of Revenue Generation. The facilitation of customs procedures through the exploration of ICT technologies is nothing new to the National Revenue Authority at least for the past three years.
The recent launch of the Customs Electronic Single Window will enhance efficiency in the trade logistics landscape of the country by speeding the customs process for importers and exporters. Commissioner of Customs Abu Kanneh is optimistic about the value addition resulting from launching these twin products.
According to the Commissioner General Dr. Samuel Jibao, the main agenda of his administration is to automate at least 80% of NRA’s operational procedures by the end of 2021. “We cannot downplay the seriousness of Government in increasing domestic revenue” said Dr. Jibao. He recognized the support of International Donors like the World Bank, African Development Bank, GIZ and IMF through the Ministry of Finance for the high level of support in rolling out the reforms at NRA. Dr. Jibao emphasized the need to improve on taxpayers services and creating the conducive environment for customs staff to be highly productive.
The Cargo Inspection Facility will therefore provide a one stop shop for custom brokers, reduce the hassle of moving around and eventually lead to an improved the country’s rating in doing business in Sierra Leone.
In his keynote address, Jacob Jusu Saffa, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance said he is pleased that the first aspect of the Customs Electronic Single Window will implement E-Exemptions targeting the clearance of goods imported under the duty waiver and ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ELTS) for all MDAs. He said that NRA should now push to work together with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development-UNCTAD to extend the Customs Electronic Single Window to include E-Submission of exchange rate from the Bank of Sierra Leone; E-submission of motor vehicles information from the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA).
Dr. Tuma Adama Gento- Kamara is Board Chair of the NRA. In her statement, she noted that the Board has created the policy environment for the institution to thrive at various levels of operations. She said the launch of a Cargo Inspection Facility is one step to curbing the acute accommodation challenges faced by the NRA. As Board of Directors, they had declared 2021 as a year of building the institution’s infrastructure to enhance Revenue collection. According to her, the institution is running to secure a Revenue house in Freetown.
The program ended by a live demonstration of the processes along the E-Exemption of goods imported under the duty waiver and ECOWAS trade Liberalization Scheme for all MDAs.
Credit: PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND TAX EDUCATION UNIT NATIONAL REVENUE AUTHORITY
Source: Owl Press
