WINDHOEK, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) — Namibia’s customs administrations will be an integral part of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as they unlock and leverage the competitiveness and enhance both continental and global trade logistics, Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi said Tuesday.
Namibia is excited by the recent launch of the AfCFTA which is brimful of opportunities to strengthen intra-Africa trade, regional and continental value chains, Shiimi said in a statement delivered on his behalf during the World International Customs Day in Windhoek.
“Customs administrations are expected to continuously adapt and display agility and dynamism,” he said, adding that Namibia is in the process of launching the Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA) with a mandate to administer state revenue and the reform of customs and excise which will contribute to a more enabling business environment.
Shiimi shared some envisaged initiatives which will be part of the implementation of the Customs Modernization Program which will include new clearing agent and risk management policies; establishment of the container control program and electronic data interchange center.
“In operationalization of these programs, we are mindful of the advances in technology which if optimally used can streamline our process and improve efficiency,” he added.
Shiimi meanwhile said it is therefore incumbent upon the Namibia Customs and Excise Administration to pause and examine the country’s economic and social projections and benchmark them against international best practices in order to remain relevant and attuned to the latest global developments.
