Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) will on January 31, 2014 join the rest of the world in commemorating the International Customs Day (ICD).
This years’ commemoration, under the theme ‘Communication: sharing information for better cooperation’, will be held at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre.
According to the press release signed by MRA’s Commissioner General, John Biziwick, MRA has already made strides in line with the theme.
“The Authority would like to highlight that it is moving with the trends of time as it has upgraded its website, www.mra.mw and is also available on both Facebook and Twitter while introducing internal communication platforms such as the intranet and advancing the newsletter into an e-edition including the Anchor Magazine,” reads the statement in part.
Biziwick said Malawi will join the World Customs Organisation, fellow Customs Administration and partners to commemorate ICD on January 31 2014 in Blantyre.
The statement further reads that the day will accord members of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), and their partners an opportunity to promote and enhance the communication and information sharing practices that have been implemented within their administrations, ministries, trading community, other government agencies and the general public.
“Customs appreciates and ensures that a robust communication apparatus is vital in raising awareness on specific initiatives, modernisation projects as well as Customs achievements and in the process, enhancing transparency, changing perceptions when needed and improving compliance levels. Good communication also has profound impacts on cost of compliance efficiency and effectiveness,” further reads the statement.
Biziwick in the statement said that current initiatives in the area of communication include National Customs Business Forums (NCBF), specialised magazines, e-bulletins, international briefings, media outreach, blogs, social networks and web sharing platforms all of which enable communicating directly to people and communities for purposes of enhanced engagement.
“MRA as a member of the WCO recognises that communication is vital in Customs because in the process of transacting business, there are multiple players public and private sector as well as the general public,” said Biziwick.
The release further states that other efforts by the MRA include consultation on the National single window, the connectivity with Mozambique ports to allow third country view on Malawi ports, suggestion boxes and tip-off anonymous.
MRA continues to enhance its exchange of information with other Customs Administrations to ensure faster sharing of experience thereby cutting operation costs while improving services to curb falsification of documents and smuggling.
ICD is yearly commemorated every January 26 under different themes selected by WCO.
