It is imperative for the country to put effective mechanisms in place and increase domestic resource mobilisation in order to maximise revenue yields and reduce dependency on foreign assistance.
Malawi’s Deputy Minister of Finance Cornelius Mwalwanda said this in Mangochi on Thursday when he presided over the opening ceremony of the 18th Governing Council meeting for commissioners and deputy commissioners general of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Region which is being hosted by Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge.
The Governing Council meeting is expected to adopt rules for Governing of Customs Operations and Cooperation in the ESA Region and the regional office for capacity building.
He explained that there are some existing gaps between Customs and the private sector thereby making issues of technical expertise a challenge.
Said Mwalwanda: “Trade volumes are growing, therefore Customs have to change the way they do their business. In this regard, technical capacity for both Customs officials and clearing agents is a must.
“There is need to develop technical skills, simplify procedures and implement modern-based practices to maximise revenue collection, facilitate trade and control illicit trade. There are also differences between various country customs administrations, which give rise to the need for harmonized rules of procedures, policies and standards.”
The deputy minister also stressed that the adoption of the regional strategic and implementation plan will address capacity constraints faced by the region in terms of transfer pricing and commercial fraud.
In his remarks, MRA commissioner general John Biziwick said the tax-collection body recognises the importance of capacity development and that WCO-ESA region must implement e-learning tools as one way of improving capacity building of officers through training with support from partners of goodwill.
“It is in this regard that MRA is investing in the upgrading of the Institute of Tax Administration (ITA) capable to implementing an e-learning platform for its officers. In order to contribute to the economic growth of the region with regard to trade, security and social protection, members of the WCO-ESA region must adopt procedures and standards that promote regional integration, cooperation and coordination of Customs administrators, and with the trading and donor community,” said Biziwick.
