East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 10th June, 2024: A Training of Trainers (TOT) session for System Administrators and Business Development Experts from Partner States’ Revenue Authorities has commenced in Mombasa, Kenya as part of the Community’s initiative to enhance regional integration.
The training focuses on the EAC One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) Performance Measurement Tool – EAC OBMP PMT, an online reporting tool developed to assess the performance of OSBPs in the region.
In his opening remarks, EAC Customs and Trade Capacity Building Expert, Mr. Stephen Analo; on behalf of the EAC Secretary General, Ms. Veronica Nduva, noted that the EAC remains committed to facilitating trade across the region. “In an effort to increase and facilitate trade in the region, the Community has implemented various interventions, including the construction and operationalization of One-Stop Boder Posts (OSBPs),” said Mr. Analo.
The EAC official highlighted that, given the substantial investment in bringing the OSBPs to fruition, it is imperative to monitor the performance of these facilities to ensure they deliver the anticipated results.
“This monitoring tool will therefore enable us to track the performance of the OSBPs and evaluate their return on investment,” he added.
The EAC OSBP PMT is designed to streamline border operations, reduce transit times, and enhance the overall efficiency of trade across East African borders. By accurately measuring performance, the tool provides critical data to identify bottlenecks, improve resource allocation, and foster a more seamless trading environment.
Specifically, the OSBP PMT sets out to deliver on the following:
- enhance operational efficiency: reduce delays at border posts by identifying and addressing inefficiencies.
- data-driven decision making: provide reliable data for informed decision-making to improve border operations.
- boost economic growth: facilitate smoother trade flows, thereby contributing to the economic development of the Partner States.
- promote regional integration: strengthen economic ties and cooperation among the Partner States.
The TOT programme is structured to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively utilize the OSBP PMT. Participants will undergo comprehensive training, including hands-on sessions and practical demonstrations, ensuring they are well-prepared to transfer this expertise within their respective revenue authorities.
The training session marks a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency of cross-border trade in the East African Community. By empowering experts from the revenue authorities, the initiative aims to create a more efficient, data-driven approach to border management, fostering economic growth and regional integration.
The performance measurement tool was developed with support from TradeMark Africa as part of its support to EAC regional integration programmes.
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