Rwanda’s taxman, has signed a financing agreement with the TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) to start the second phase of the Rwanda Electronic Single Window (RESW).
Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) signed the agreement worth USD1.57 Million which will be used to make various upgrades which will be implemented up until June 2022.
According to a statement from TMEA, this support from is part of the USD 53 Million agreement signed in the MOU between TMEA and the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. The funding to RRA is being provided by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) through TMEA.
“Upgrading of RESW will include the following projects – upgrade of the Customs Management System (ASYCUDA World); digitalization of the management and administration of the Authorized Economic Operators Scheme (AEO); Implementation of the Single Transaction Point and Single Sign On features on the Rwanda Electronic Single Window (ReSW); implementation of the Cargo Community System to support Air Cargo business at Kigali International Airport; digitalization of the Advance Ruling process of Customs; digitalization of Advance Passenger Information System; and digitalization of the Special Economic Zones Management and Administration. Combined, these projects will enable RRA establish a true paperless trade environment in Rwanda.” The statement reads adding that this will enhance its ability to network globally with other customs administrations and the trading Community.
According to the Commissioner General of RRA, Pascal Ruganintwali, the cooperation between RRA and TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) has enabled the institution to improve on endeavours to accomplish its mandate in international trade.
“This has enabled us ensure compliance with international trade laws and regimes. The better controls we have adopted means we are well placed to facilitate goods and commodities coming into and leaving Rwanda while protecting Rwandan and East African citizens. As a result of various projects we have recorded an improvement in revenue collection that is critical in supporting government development programmes.” Said the commissioner.
Benefits of the partnership
“Several benefits will emanate from the upgrades. They include: improving economic operators cooperation and coordination with RRA; improving the RRA customs systems capacity to integrate and share information with other international trade agencies within and outside Rwanda, particularly in the Single Customs Territory initiative of the EAC.” Commissioner Ruganintwali said.
The cooperation is also expected to also improve governance of customs systems and procedures, by enhancing transparency and accountability among trade actors.
Patience Mutesi, the TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) Rwanda Country Director said that TMEA has been a long partner of RRA and we intend to continue this relationship in our second phase of funding.
“TMEA would like to see RRA achieve its mandate in the country, and ensure that the trade environment in Rwanda becomes more competitive and attractive to investors from around the world. Ultimately our goal is, through such programmes, to contribute to the improvement of the welfare of the Rwandan and East African people by increasing trade. This programme will improve our international traders’ access to better services from RRA, improved transparency and reduce their cost of doing business in the country. TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) is glad to be associated with RRA in this initiative and we shall also provide technical support to the programme where necessary to ensure that we deliver the results that we have set out to achieve for the country.” Said Patience.
