The Kenya Revenue Authority now says that it has enhanced partnerships with cross-border traders and other stakeholders to boost regional trade and revenue mobilisation.
Speaking during the International Customs Day Celebration held at the Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP), KRA Commissioner for Customs and Border Control, Dr Lilian Nyawanda said the customs administration is working towards a simplified and harmonized customs management framework.
She said the framework will help enhance seamless movement of goods and persons across borders.
"We endeavour to build an agile Customs Administration; progressively eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade in goods, responsive to the needs of traders, offering timely facilitation and mobilizing adequate revenues for the Government," Nyawanda said.
The Commissioner insisted that the role of customs has evolved from the traditional collection of duties and taxes on imports to taking on economic and social dimensions.
She added that it also promotes legitimate trade and facilitates global supply chains.
Nyawanda called on other players in the global supply chain to partner with customs to support the traders by ensuring benefits such as lower transaction costs; prompt custom clearance, custom procedures, and predictability are provided.
International Customs Day is observed annually on January 26.
The day is used to commemorate the founding of the World Customs Organization and highlights the importance of customs in facilitating smooth cross-border trade operation.
Customs as a function, accounts for over 30 per cent of total revenue collected by KRA.
World Customs Organization regional director for East and Southern Africa, Capacity Building office Larry Liza also noted that customs continue to engage local, regional and international trade and businesses to keep abreast with emerging trends in global trade.
He said the engagement is in areas such as eCommerce, big data, analytics and the changing dynamics of the trade environment.
He added that the East African Community region is continually evolving and called for more collaboration with stakeholders, private sector and small and medium traders to leverage the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and other regulatory frameworks.
The 2024 International Customs Day was themed 'Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose'.
