Madagascar: American support for customs reform

The US government provides financial support for customs administration reform. This is done through a $1.25 million funding to establish a modern and efficient administration.

What causes customs to lose revenue is its time-consuming administration and heavy border procedures. In recent years, the Customs has initiated various reforms to modernize and equip its administration. For the first time, at least since the beginning of the changes, the support project for Malagasy Customs is launched. It is the US government, through its Agency for International Development, that finances the program. Its implementation will be the responsibility of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Support for the various reforms undertaken by Customs is expressed through assistance with tools and work methods to achieve tangible results. This was yesterday at Ivato, on the occasion of the launch of the support project for Malagasy Customs.

The completion of the reform process initiated by the customs administration will ensure economic integration in a world where trade is constantly growing in flow and volume. Claire Pierangelo, US Ambassador to Madagascar, says that this support will have a positive impact on the national economy.

“Improving the transparency and efficiency of customs procedures can have positive ripple effects on the Malagasy economy. This will help build the necessary trust to increase business investments in the country,” she said during her speech at Ivato.

Improvement

A vision shared by Natasha Van Rijn, UNDP Resident Representative in Madagascar. “UNDP is proud to contribute to the improvement of Madagascar’s commercial access, in a world where trade and commerce are essential pillars for achieving sustainable development in the country.”

For Ernest Lainkana Zafivanona, Director General of Customs, the need for reforms is more necessary than ever. “The world is changing and Customs must keep pace with this change. We want a stealthy, modernized customs and, above all, streamlined operations for its users,” he confirms. Four reforms will be supported by this USAID support project. Among others, there is the improvement of airport procedures, materialized by efficient passenger management and streamlined handling of goods. There is also the integration of express delivery services and e-commerce. There is also the mapping and digitalization of customs services, to avoid excess paperwork and save time. Users will also be sensitized to the different standards in force to reduce unnecessary back and forth.

Itamara Randriamamonjy