Economy | Angola Customs Expansion and Modernisation Programme
A Contract was signed in September 2000 between the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Angola and the Crown Agents appointing the latter to provide support to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Angola National Customs Directorate.
Principal Objectives of the Programme
Inception Phase
Crown Agents
May 2003
Principal Objectives of the Programme
- To develop the vocational and administrative skills of staff at all levels
- To enhance revenue yield substantially while facilitating the clearance process and reducing the transaction costs both for the Customs Department and for Importers
- To advice on improvements in the current legislative framework and procedures
- To recommend improvements in the terms and conditions on which customs officials are employed
- To institute measures to increase accountability and transparency
- To ensure that the changes introduced will be sustained by:
- Improving the quality and efficiency of staff employed by Customs
- Introducing a computerised customs processing and management information system, and
- Providing all other necessary tools and equipment to enable Customs to carry out its duties effectively
The programme commenced in 2001 with an inception phase, during which Crown Agents completed a detailed analysis of the customs administration. Short, medium and long-term action plans were then drawn up, to reflect the Government's objectives for fiscal reform.
2002 – Implementation and Consolidation
The year focussed on the introduction of the new entry processing system in conjunction with the single administrative document (SAD) or Documento Unico. Automation of the entry processing and trade information management systems took place with the introduction of TIMS (Crown Agents' proprietary trade information management system) at Luanda Port and Airport. Achievement of these two key deliverables took a significant amount of time but nevertheless contributed to an increase in revenue of 50% over the previous year and enabled the target of USD550m for the year to be met. (There was, in fact, a shortfall of USD16 m, but this was attributable to additional and special exemptions given to operations linked to the peace process).
Other initiatives targeted areas which have had an immediate impact on revenue and included introducing more effective controls over cabotage cargo (cargo moved by coastal vessels), the majority of which was being imported from Namibia without payment of duty; carrying out an intensive analyses of the clearance processes at the international airport cargo terminal, coupled with a fast track verification system for physical clearance of goods through the warehouse.
While the Airport Passenger Terminal is not usually a source of high revenue yield, it is a very high profile area for Customs. The arrivals hall was refurbished, and legislation enacted which enabled the adoption of Red and Green Channels for the clearance of passengers and their baggage.
These initiatives, together with the introduction of an intensive vehicle import control system at the Port of Luanda, contributed to an increase in revenue of 147% over Y2000.
2003 – Institutional Development
Other initiatives targeted areas which have had an immediate impact on revenue and included introducing more effective controls over cabotage cargo (cargo moved by coastal vessels), the majority of which was being imported from Namibia without payment of duty; carrying out an intensive analyses of the clearance processes at the international airport cargo terminal, coupled with a fast track verification system for physical clearance of goods through the warehouse.
While the Airport Passenger Terminal is not usually a source of high revenue yield, it is a very high profile area for Customs. The arrivals hall was refurbished, and legislation enacted which enabled the adoption of Red and Green Channels for the clearance of passengers and their baggage.
These initiatives, together with the introduction of an intensive vehicle import control system at the Port of Luanda, contributed to an increase in revenue of 147% over Y2000.
The emphasis for 2003 is on strengthening the new systems that have been implemented by focusing on personnel and professional development plans and the introduction of new management control systems, whilst continuing to improve revenue collection and streamline processes.
The implementation of a comprehensive management control programme, including the provision of guidance manuals, station profiles, benchmarking systems and measurement tools, will help to facilitate the sustainability of the changes being implemented.
Staff development is a key aspect being addressed this year. A detailed training needs analyses is being undertaken across the whole organisation. Training is being provided in order to ensure readiness for the introduction of the GATT Valuation Code in early 2004. Staff assessments have been carried out, together with an analysis of resource requirements necessary to sustain the new systems which have been implemented. The adoption of GATT coincides with the completion of the current pre-shipment inspection contract, at which time Custom will re-assume its traditional responsibility for inspection and valuation of consignments in and out of Angola. To support this move, the Valuation and Tariff Classification Unit has been expanded to a complement of five, including two international experts and three national staff members. A valuation training specialist is also scheduled to provide a series of training workshops, seminars and training programmes throughout the year, to build the necessary levels of expertise required to assume the valuation and tariff classification tasks previously undertaken by the PSI service provider.
While discrete areas of legislation have been addressed, a comprehensive review to develop a consolidated Custom Act commenced in March.
Corruption and fraud are, unfortunately, prevalent throughout the service and trading community. Internal audit, management assurance and staff irregularities units are being established to combat the problems, and to detect and prevent cases of non-compliance.
Operational activities based on the adoption of modern risk profiling and analysis techniques continue to enhance revenue. These activities have included the establishment in the Southern region of Regional Assurance Teams with a brief to target cross-border trade and introduce the new regimes to other provinces. The teams are tasked with carrying out anti-smuggling activities, but will also review and assess trends in trade volumes, with a view to location Customs facilities and resources to the best advantage. The teams are also responsible for the roll out of the new systems and procedures in Luanda. The Customs facility in Namibe has been strengthened by the appointment of an expatriate Regional Director and new national counterpart.
The TIMS computer system continues to be developed in line with resource and logistical capabilities. National staff is adapting well to a computerised environment and training programmes are on-going. Namibe in the South, along with Cabinda in the North, are scheduled to be amongst the first Customs stations outside Luanda to introduce TIMS although, owing to infrastructural constraints, we are unlikely to be able to work on-line in live environments in the short to medium term.
Since the cessation of hostilities, Angola has taken a far more active role in international and regional fora. The National Director of Angola Customs is currently the chair of the Southern African Development Community Heads of Customs Group, which is the focus of efforts to improve cooperation among the Customs Departments of member states.
The implementation of a comprehensive management control programme, including the provision of guidance manuals, station profiles, benchmarking systems and measurement tools, will help to facilitate the sustainability of the changes being implemented.
Staff development is a key aspect being addressed this year. A detailed training needs analyses is being undertaken across the whole organisation. Training is being provided in order to ensure readiness for the introduction of the GATT Valuation Code in early 2004. Staff assessments have been carried out, together with an analysis of resource requirements necessary to sustain the new systems which have been implemented. The adoption of GATT coincides with the completion of the current pre-shipment inspection contract, at which time Custom will re-assume its traditional responsibility for inspection and valuation of consignments in and out of Angola. To support this move, the Valuation and Tariff Classification Unit has been expanded to a complement of five, including two international experts and three national staff members. A valuation training specialist is also scheduled to provide a series of training workshops, seminars and training programmes throughout the year, to build the necessary levels of expertise required to assume the valuation and tariff classification tasks previously undertaken by the PSI service provider.
While discrete areas of legislation have been addressed, a comprehensive review to develop a consolidated Custom Act commenced in March.
Corruption and fraud are, unfortunately, prevalent throughout the service and trading community. Internal audit, management assurance and staff irregularities units are being established to combat the problems, and to detect and prevent cases of non-compliance.
Operational activities based on the adoption of modern risk profiling and analysis techniques continue to enhance revenue. These activities have included the establishment in the Southern region of Regional Assurance Teams with a brief to target cross-border trade and introduce the new regimes to other provinces. The teams are tasked with carrying out anti-smuggling activities, but will also review and assess trends in trade volumes, with a view to location Customs facilities and resources to the best advantage. The teams are also responsible for the roll out of the new systems and procedures in Luanda. The Customs facility in Namibe has been strengthened by the appointment of an expatriate Regional Director and new national counterpart.
The TIMS computer system continues to be developed in line with resource and logistical capabilities. National staff is adapting well to a computerised environment and training programmes are on-going. Namibe in the South, along with Cabinda in the North, are scheduled to be amongst the first Customs stations outside Luanda to introduce TIMS although, owing to infrastructural constraints, we are unlikely to be able to work on-line in live environments in the short to medium term.
Since the cessation of hostilities, Angola has taken a far more active role in international and regional fora. The National Director of Angola Customs is currently the chair of the Southern African Development Community Heads of Customs Group, which is the focus of efforts to improve cooperation among the Customs Departments of member states.
Crown Agents
May 2003
