Cap-Haïtien Customs Support Project Annual Report – Year Two

The project is working to streamline processes for clearing exported and imported goods by providing technical assistance to the Administration Générale des Douanes (AGD), which is implementing the project's proposed reforms in the following areas: organizational structure, human resources, capacity building and training, technology and infrastructure, operational procedures, and cooperation and communication. Component I, Mobilization, Assessments and TFA Training, was completed by the end of Year 1, with no activities undertaken in Year 2. Component II, Initial Analysis of Procedures, was also completed by the end of Year 1, with no activities undertaken in Year 2. Component III, ICT Procurement, Installation, was initially planned to procure and install hardware and software for the AGD building in Cap Haïtien. However, due to the demolition of the AGD office facility, the implementation was delayed to Year 3. In Year 2, the project worked with the AGD and USAID to determine the hardware and software needs of the AGD and how best the CHCSP could help to improve the AGD's ICT systems. An ICT assessment visit was conducted in April 2017, and a series of ICT steering committee meetings were held between October and December 2017. The committee facilitated communication and expedited decision-making amongst members, leading to the confirmation of the AGD headquarters in Port-au-Prince as the primary site location for the installation of the proposed ICT procurement. The project team submitted its Assessment of Technology and Infrastructure report to USAID in December 2017, highlighting the severely outdated technologies used by the AGD and the negative impacts of continuing operations with such obsolete systems. The report included details on the requirements and estimated costs of the proposed ICT solutions that would help ensure improved functionality of ASYCUDA, which plays a critical role in automating AGD's accounting system. The project team proposed procurement activities that would improve revenue collection, governance, and reduce corruption. Improved IT systems would enable the GOH to track customs revenue, produce reliable customs statistics, and improve information management. The project team also identified priority ICT equipment, including IT network cables, satellite system support, and software licenses, and documented IT requirements and specifications. The Cap-Haïtien Customs Support Project is working to improve the AGD's ICT systems, which will enable the GOH to collect revenue more efficiently, improve governance, and reduce corruption. The project team has made significant progress in determining the hardware and software needs of the AGD and has proposed procurement activities to improve the AGD's ICT systems. The project's implementation of Component III, ICT Procurement, Installation, has been delayed to Year 3 due to the demolition of the AGD office facility. However, the project team has made significant progress in determining the hardware and software needs of the AGD and has proposed procurement activities to improve the AGD's ICT systems. The project team has also identified priority ICT equipment and documented IT requirements and specifications.