Weekly Activity Update Oct 29th – November 2nd 2012

Data collection for policy papers on self-regulation and mutual recognition of customs agents' licenses continued in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on October 29th and 30th. Consultants met with clearing agents affiliated to TAFFA, the Tanzania Ports Authority, and the Tanzania Revenue Authority to gather information for the studies. The consultants' draft reports are expected to be completed shortly, paving the way for the validation of the studies. The validation process is crucial in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data collected. The consultants' findings will provide valuable insights into the self-regulation and mutual recognition of customs agents' licenses, which will inform policy decisions in the region. A three-day meeting of the Customs Interagency Committee (CIC) took place in Mombasa from October 31st to November 2nd. The meeting brought together representatives from national associations, revenue authorities, and the EAC Directorate of Customs. The primary objective of the meeting was to validate the revised training materials for the East African Customs and Freight Forwarders Professional Certification (EACFFPC) program. The meeting also reaffirmed the December 2012 deadline for the Certificate of Competence and established dates for the TOT seminars. The meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input into the sustainability strategy for the EACFFPC program. The validation of the training materials is a significant milestone in the implementation of the program, which aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of customs and freight forwarders in the region. The meeting was supported by TradeMark East Africa, a regional trade facilitation program. FEAFFA also participated in a stakeholder meeting on the National Single Window, a project aimed at streamlining customs clearance procedures in Kenya. The meeting, which took place at the KIFWA-Nairobi offices in ICD Embakasi, brought together clearing and forwarding agents, as well as representatives from Crimson Logic, the consultants hired by the Kenyan Government to implement the project. According to Crimson Logic, the prototype of the National Single Window is expected to be ready in three months' time. The project has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of customs clearance procedures in Kenya, reducing the time and cost associated with trade transactions.