This came after it signed a financing agreement worth US$ 1.57 million with TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) on Tuesday.
This marks the start of the second phase of the Rwanda Electronic Single Window (RESW). The second phase will be marked by various upgrades which will be implemented up until June 2022. The TMEA support is part of the USD 53 Million agreement signed in the MoU between TMEA and the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
The funding to RRA is being provided by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) through TMEA.
During the signing ceremony held at RRA Headquarters in Kigali, the Commissioner General of RRA, Pascal Ruganintwari said the cooperation between RRA and TradeMark East Africa has enabled the institution to improve on endeavors to accomplish its mandate in international trade.
“It has enabled us to ensure compliance with international trade laws and regimes. The better controls we have adopted means we are well placed to facilitate goods and commodities coming into and leaving Rwanda while protecting Rwandan and East African citizens,” He said.
He added that as a result of various projects, they have recorded an improvement in revenue collection that is critical in supporting government development programmes.
Patience Mutesi, the TradeMark East Africa Rwanda Country Director said, “TMEA has been a long partner of RRA and we intend to continue this relationship in our second phase of funding. TradeMark East Africa would like to see RRA achieve its mandate in the country, and ensure that the trade environment in Rwanda becomes more competitive and attractive to investors from around the world,” she said.
Ultimately, she added, their goal is through such programmes to contribute to the improvement of the welfare of the Rwandan and East African people by increasing trade.
She further said that this programme will improve their international traders’ access to better services from RRA, improved transparency and reduce their cost of doing business in the country.
“TradeMark East Africa is glad to be associated with RRA in this initiative and we shall also provide technical support to the programme where necessary to ensure that we deliver the results that we have set out to achieve for the country,” she said.
Upgrading of RESW will include the following projects – upgrade of the Customs Management System (ASYCUDA World); digitalization of the management and administration of the Authorized Economic Operators Scheme (AEO); Implementation of the Single Transaction Point and Single Sign-On features on the Rwanda Electronic Single Window (ReSW); implementation of the Cargo Community System to support Air Cargo business at Kigali International Airport; digitalization of the Advance Ruling process of Customs; digitalization of Advance Passenger Information System; and digitalization of the Special Economic Zones Management and Administration. Combined, these projects will enable RRA to establish a true paperless trade environment in Rwanda. It will enhance its ability to network globally with other customs administrations and the trading Community.
Several benefits will emanate from the upgrades, including improving economic operators cooperation and coordination with RRA; improving the RRA customs systems capacity to integrate and share information with other international trade agencies within and outside Rwanda, particularly in the Single Customs Territory initiative of the EAC. It will also improve governance of customs systems and procedures, by enhancing transparency and accountability among trade actors.
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