Malawi Revenue Authority lauds digital customs innovations

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) says it is committed to moving with new improved ICT innovations to ensure and enhance revenue performance in the country.

MRA boss Tom Malata
MRA boss Tom Malata

MRA Commissioner General Tom Malata said this ahead of this year’s International Customs Day, which is commemorated every year on January 26 under a given theme which is selected by World Customs Organizations (WCO).

This year’s commemorations will be held under the theme ‘Coordinated Boarder Management: An Inclusive Approach for Connecting Stakeholders’. MRA will commemorate the International Customs Day at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre on Tuesday, January 26 2015.

“This year the day will be devoted to the “digital customs” theme with the slogan ‘Progressive Engagement’.

“MRA will on this day take the opportunity to showcase and further promote the use of information and communication technology (ICT). The Authority will also demonstrate the digital innovations that Customs has implemented so far and the expectations in the future,” said Malata.

Digital Customs, according to him, is any automated or electronic activity that contributes to the effectiveness, efficiency and coordination of Customs activities.

These activities include the automated Customs clearance system, the Single Window concept, electronic exchange of information, Websites to communicate information and promote transparency and the use of smart phones in customs operations.

Malawi further said MRA recognizes the importance of digital operations as they ensures efficiency and enhances revenue performance.

He said the digital innovations have played a crucial role in improving the operations of the Customs in collaboration with other government agencies.

“The ongoing reforms and modernization continue to assist MRA in the reduction of costs, improvement of service delivery and elimination incidences of falsification of documents.

“It is our belief that we cannot work independently without taking into account the new trends in ICT development and the interests of our stakeholders,” said Malata.

The Authority, according to Malata, successfully linked the Customs systems with the Road Traffic Department and Malawi Police Services to improve efficiencies and fasten clearance of motor vehicles; linked the Roads Funds Administration/National Roads Authority to improve Toll Fees Management System; Automation of Temporary Importation Permit Systems (TIPS) and Temporary Exportation Systems (TEPS); and upgrading of Automated Systems of Customs Data (ASYCUDA).

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kambwali
kambwali
8 years ago

Your system at the boarder when clearing vehicles is very pathetic, untimely and very inconvenient. It takes the whole day to clear a vehicle. please decentralise your system. Why must one wait for blantyre people to do the transaction in the system while at songwe? You persecute people who pay the money to government. Your service lack customer care.

wewe
wewe
8 years ago

Malata, zoti uzingowakawa anthu apa in the name of digital ayi. They are already in crisis.

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