Doing business: Customs to remain open until 10:00 pm

Customs’ points that have been closing at 6:00 pm in Rwanda may remain open until 10:00 pm to handle the growing business within the country. Eugène Torero, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) deputy commissioner general said the extra four hour service will remain within Rwanda but may extended to other borders to ease cross-border trade and movement of people. Most border posts in the East African region close at 6.00 pm to the chagrin of importers who complain that closing early makes them incur more costs especially on transport, demurrage and accommodation—thus making doing business in the region very expensive. Customs to remain open “We are to recruit more staff. And by the end of this year, we shall be ready to work until 10:00,” Torero said. Adding: “RRA is to meet with immigrations department to decide when to start the services.” Working until 10:00 pm is part of the 13 suggestions, a team setup to ease doing business in Rwanda sent to cabinet. This was after the 2008 Doing Business World Bank report ranked Rwanda 150th out of the 168 countries. Torero is optimistic that if all the reforms are passed and implemented, Rwanda’s 2009 ranking on the ease of doing business index may be high—meaning the regulatory environment will be very conducive to business operations. Other RRA reforms A multi-million one-stop border post is also to be opened to handle the growing movement of people and goods between Burundi and Rwanda. The building constructed by the two governments (Burundi and Rwanda) at Nemba, will house customs, security and immigration officials from the two countries. Torero further revealed that Rwanda and Uganda are in bilateral talks to ease clearing goods and movement of people between the two countries. The talks may soon see customs, immigration and security officials from Rwanda and Uganda jointly do the clearing. RRA and ministry of infrastructure have started negotiations with Uganda on establishing a one border concept. According to Torero, a draft bilateral agreement document is ready and is being considered by authorities. At regional level, the East African Revenue Authorities (EARA) developed an electronic exchange of information system that will allow advance cargo information. Rwanda and Uganda may launch theirs soon. Among other reforms, RRA is also pushing for having a cargo tracking system. And to ease congestion in banks and heavy traffic at borders, RRA is encouraging importers to start pre-arrival clearance. Pre-arrival clearance has been supplemented by the introduction of pre-payment systems. Ends