Own Correspondent
21st May 2024
Botswana Unified Revenue Service(BURS) hosted the 5th Working Group Activity Master Trainer Programme (MTP) on Rules of Origin for English Speaking Countries in Africa, which is a significant milestone in Botswana’s journey towards regional integration and economic prosperity.
“A journey that resonates well with Botswana’s transformational aspirations which recognizes Regional integration as a critical aspect in building an export-led economy which will ultimately enable Botswana’s economic transformation from an upper middle income to a High income status by 2036,” said Jeanette Makgolo, Commissioner General of the Botswana Unified Revenue Service(BURS).
She said, “I have noted that one of the main objectives of the MTP Programme is to strengthen the capacity of Customs officers on Rules of Origin, which I consider critical to the successful implementation of the Trade agreements, and most particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.”
BURS aims to partake in any critical activity that contribute to the acceleration of the implementation of the AfCFTA, a Trade agreement that we consider critical for the attainment of the Africa agenda 2063, and also aligned to the global agenda on Sustainable development.
Customs Administrations plays a critical role not only in the growth of our national economies but also in the global economic growth.
Initiatives such as uniform and transparent application of Rules of Origin in the International Global trade reduces bureaucratic bottlenecks at the ports of entry, fostering a business-friendly environment that is conducive for investment and economic growth.
Botswana announced commencement of trading under the AfCFTA effective 1st of April 2024, which calls for collaborative efforts towards implementation in AFRICA and Botswana expressed excitement that World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA) are journeying with it in this regard.
The Master Trainers have developed tailor-made deliverables such as training courses and materials to be utilised by our Administrations to sustain the capacitation efforts afterwards.
Enforcing Rules of origin effectively can be very challenging, requiring cooperation, transparency and capacity building among Member States and MTP has contributed tremendously to this, ensuring sustainable capacity development for the region.
It is expected that once trained the Customs officials will ensure that only products genuinely originating from Member States enjoy tariff preferences, which will foster regional integration, stimulate economic growth and enhance the competitiveness of African industries in the global market.
“Strengthening connectivity through support for customs modernization is one of the priority areas of JICA’s co-operation. In addition to the master training program under the collaboration with WCO, JICA has been implementing customs co-operation in many countries of Africa, Asia and pacific Islands,” said Tonokawa Hiroyasu, Resident Representative of JICA in Botswana.
He said, “Here in Botswana, JICA supported the construction of OSBP facility and are now implementing the capacity development project of smooth operation of OSBP at the Kazungula Border with Botswana Unified Revenue Service(BURS).”
