Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIA is lagging behind fellow Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) member states in terms of taking advantage of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) compliance programme aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and reducing the time and costs associated with cross-border trade.
According to the Sacu secretariat, out of the 174 traders that have been accredited under the programme, Namibia has only managed to secure one accreditation, through Namib Mills.
Thabo David Khasipe, the executive secretary of Sacu said this is a worrying trend, as the voluntary programme is designed to further improve administrative efficiencies and strengthen compliance, safety, and security within the supply chain.
“I wish to implore our Namibian business community to take advantage of this unique programme and apply for accreditation to maximise on the identified benefits,” Khasipe said.
Accreditation can be awarded to manufacturers, importers, exporters, brokers, carriers, consolidators, intermediaries, ports, airports, terminal operators, integrated operators, warehouses, distributors and freight forwarders.
Khasipe said Namibia cannot afford to be left behind in the accreditation of traders, especially with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) now been introduced.
The programme is envisaged to support industrialisation and the trade agenda with AfCFTA as a priority.
“The programme will also better position our private sector to be more competitive and help maximise the opportunities accruing from the AfCFTA,” he said.
The programme aims to build mutual trust and partnerships between the government and businesses. Sacu member states Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa have prioritised its implementation for industrialisation, trade facilitation and logistics to contribute to economic development of the respective member states.
An awareness campaign for the programme was hosted in Windhoek yesterday with local traders.
At the event, industrialisation and trade minister Lucia Iipumbu expressed concern over Namibia’s slow uptake of the AEO compliance programme and announced plans to promote the programme this year.
Iipumbu highlighted the need for the operational tools required to fully implement all pillars of the programme.
“It is of critical importance to note that the Sacu region has embarked on this vital exercise to promote the visibility and use of the AEO programme by businesses, and Namibian businesses are encouraged to actively participate in this great opportunity,” said Iipumbu.
Namibia Revenue Agency (Namra) commissioner Sam Shivute said the programme is based on partnership and trust between the private sector and customs.
“We have the responsibility to work together. You can have a product but if there is no one to benefit from it, it won’t work. I want to encourage all the businesses that qualify to join the AEO programme,” Shivute said.
The AEO programme is a flagship programme for the Customs Modernisation Programme under the Sacu trade facilitation and logistics programme.
The Sacu region is implementing the AEO programme in phases. The initial phase was focused on developing the tools and frameworks required for a voluntary compliance programme.
To date, all Sacu member states have established and are implementing their respective AEO programmes using the minimum standards and criteria developed at regional level.
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