Cap-Haïten Customs Support Project Quarterly Report January–May 2016

The project is part of the USAID's efforts to boost economic development in Haiti through the rehabilitation of the Port of Cap-Haïtien. The project's proposed reforms focus on six key areas: organizational structure, human resources, capacity building and training, technology and infrastructure, operational procedures, cooperation and communication, and legal and regulatory framework. Project mobilization activities have been ongoing, with the placement of key personnel in Haiti and the establishment of relationships with senior officials from the Administration Générale des Douanes (AGD). Discussions with the AGD have centered on the project's approach and timeframe for implementing reforms in the four main areas: organizational structure, human resources, capacity building and training, and technology and infrastructure. A detailed assessment of the AGD's organizational structure and human resources has been provided, along with recommendations for improvement. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of clearance procedures is underway in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien. The assessment will consider factors such as inclusivity of all agencies responsible for regulated controls, adherence to the revised Kyoto Convention's Annex E, and compliance with GATT VIII and TFA Articles 6 and 9. The results will be compared with internationally recognized best practices, and input will be sought from private traders, freight forwarders, shipping agents, and brokers. Trade facilitation training has been designed and delivered to AGD officials, with a focus on improving processes and reducing costs. The training has been shared with USAID in both English and French, and a Train-of-Trainer program has been provided to AGD employees to build ongoing training capacity. Assessment of organizational structure and human resources is ongoing, with a focus on finalizing human resource and organizational structure assessments and submitting a report to USAID's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). Implementation of Component III, ICT Procurement, Installation, has been postponed due to new port construction in Cap-Haïtien. Assessment of capacity building is partially executed, with a focus on formally requesting all AGD training and submitting a contract modification to establish a new deadline and propose a new expert. Analysis of procedures for Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien is also partially executed, with a focus on completing the analysis of the current strengths and weaknesses of clearance processes and comparing them with internationally recognized best practices. For the fourth quarter of 2016, the project anticipates finalizing human resource and organizational structure assessments, completing and submitting a report to USAID's COR, and continuing to involve members of the AGD team in more in-depth consulting meetings.