A senior official from the former Department of Customs and Excise, Ranga Munyaradzi, is part of the team that developed the new system.
Munyaradzi was dismissed when the cash-strapped government decided to prune what it termed was an over-staffed organisation.
USAID is the major sponsor of the Trans Kalahari Corridor eCustoms and eTrade pilot project on customs systems interface, connectivity, electronic data interchange and the single window concept
The Southern Africa Trade Hub (SATH), launched in Gaborone would include top ranking members such as Robert Kirk, Chief of Party, Godwin Punungwe, Senior Trade Facilitator and a team from Microsoft Corporation Limited.
USAID has partnered with Microsoft to develop the first customs systems interface and connectivity in southern Africa through the Microsoft Corporation Cloud Computing Programme.
A spokesperson for the organisers said eTrade allows electronic data interchange of customs and other documents and information as well as enabling electronic submission of supporting documents to customs and relevant stakeholders.
It would also help create a conducive business environment, create a single window, connect government agencies, private sector traders, freight forwarders, transportation companies and other stakeholders as well as provide a platform for automating the Trans Kalahari Corridor performance monitoring system.
Post published in: News