By Jude Ochieng
Uganda Revenue Authority has called on customs administrations to integrate with e-commerce players to facilitate the growth of trade in the East African region.
Abel Kagumire, the Commissioner of Customs at URA made the call while speaking to the Sectoral Committee of Customs meeting that was held at the EAC Secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania recently. The meeting brings together Commissioners of Customs from within the region.
“There is 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 in light of 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 EAC 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.
