26th January 2022
Own Correspondent
The Botswana Unified Revenue Service(BURS) has encouraged customs administrations to operate in a fully digitalised environment and also to exploit usage of data to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the facilitation of seamless movement of goods across borders as well as combat illicit trade.
It expressed this view in Kasane Wednesday on international Customs day, whose theme was ‘Scaling up Customs Digital Transformation by embracing a data culture and building a data ecosystem.
Jeanette Makgolo, Botswana Unified Revenue Service(BURS) Commissioner General, said “The International Customs Day(ICD) is a day to commemorate the vital role of customs administrations and associated border agencies in facilitating seamless flow of goods across international borders and ensuring that world trade management is safe and secured.”
She said, “Furthermore, this day provides customs administrations with an opportunity to showcase the efforts made through initiatives geared towards enhancing the flow of goods along the international supply chain.”
According to officials the Botswana Unified Revenue Service(BURS)enables cross border flow of goods through administration of appropriate trade policies, assessment and collection of correct duties and taxes that are due from importation of goods into Botswana.
It also ensures protection of society through implementing public safety and security protocols across borders to control the importation of harmful products such as habit forming drugs, guns, prohibited plants and commodities.
It manages 22 border posts, 10 inland service points, 4 international airports and 3 rail offices processing approximately 700,000 customs declarations for both imports and exports at ports of entry.
This is significant because the World Customs Organization(WCO) was established in 1952 in Brussels, Belgium and was initially called the Customs Co-operation Council.’ It has worked hard to maintain a balance between trade facilitation and compliance with statutory requirements.
Mrs Sekgabo Makgosa, District Commissioner Chobe, said “It is also important to note that trade facilitation is one of the key factors for economic development and is closely tied to national agendas on social well being, poverty reduction/eradication and economic development.”
She said, “Trade facilitation needs an integrated approach because it requires the combined effort and efficiency of a number of Government agencies as well as private parties and individuals.”
