Distr.
LIMITED
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
October, 2015
Original: ENGLISH
COMMON MARKET
FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA
Ninth Meeting of the Council of the
Regional Customs Transit Guarantee/Bond (RCTG) Scheme
Kampala, Uganda
12th -14th October 2015
REPORT OF THE NINTH MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE REGIONAL
CUSTOMS TRANSIT GUARANTEE (RCTG) SCHEME
15(BG)lm
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
Page 2
I.
INTRODUCTION
1.
The Ninth Meeting of the Council of Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG)
Scheme was held from 12th to 14th October 2015, in Kampala, Uganda, at Imperial Royale
Hotel.
II.
ATTENDANCE, OPENING OF THE MEETING, ELECTION OF THE BUREAU,
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ORGANISATION OF WORK
2.
The meeting was attended by members of the Council of RCTG Scheme from Burundi,
Congo DR, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and
Zimbabwe. The meeting was also attended by RCTG Pool Managers: ZEP-RE (PTA
Reinsurance Company) and the COMESA Secretariat. Zambia, Dar-Es Salaam Corridor
Committee (DCC) and Central Corridor Transit and Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA)
also attended the meeting as observers. A list of participants is attached to this report as Annex
I.
Opening of the Meeting (Agenda item 1)
3.
The Meeting was officially opened by Al-Haji Kaddunabbi Ibrahim Lubega, Chief
Executive Officer of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) of Uganda. In his Statement, the
Chief Executive Officer welcomed the delegates to Uganda and wished them a pleasant stay in
Kampala. AL-Haji Lubega underscored the importance of Trade Facilitation such as the RCTG
Scheme which matters a great deal particularly to landlocked countries in the reduction of transit
and transport time and increasing efficiency in the removal, movement and clearance of
Transits goods in the region.
4.
AL-Haji Lubega highlighted the significant progress made in the operations of the
scheme in the Northern, Central and Dar Corridor countries and commended all the
stakeholders involved in the operations for their commitment and the success achieved. He then
urged Member States especially those that are landlocked and at the end of the transit chain,
who would gain most from the implementation of the scheme, such as Malawi, Zambia,
Zimbabwe and Ethiopia to step up their efforts to implement the scheme without further delay.
The Chief Executive Officer pointed out that due to the benefits realized on the use of the RCTG
Carnet an increasing number of Small and Medium Clearing and Forwarding Agents (SMEs)
were participating in the RCTG scheme and urged the COMESA Secretariat and Member
States to strengthen the participation of SMEs by providing support in capacity building and
regional networking.
5.
The Chief Executive Officer concluded by thanking the COMESA Secretariat and the
National Insurance Corporation of Uganda and the Insurance Industry for organizing this annual
meeting. He further thanked the participants for their positive response to come and participate
in this meeting.
6.
Earlier, Mr. Berhane Giday, Chief Programme Officer of the RCTG and Yellow Card
Programmes of the COMESA Secretariat made a statement on behalf of the COMESA
Secretary General. Mr. Giday joined the Chairperson in welcoming the delegates to the Ninth
Meeting of the Council of the RCTG. He thanked the Guest of Honour for having found time in
his busy schedule to come and open the meeting. He further thanked the National Insurance
Corporation of Uganda and the Insurance Industry for hosting the annual meeting.
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
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7.
Mr. Giday highlighted the activities carried out and the progress made since the last
meeting of the Council of RCTG and informed the meeting that the Operations of the RCTG
CARNET were extended to the Central and Dar Corridors in August 2015. He pointed out the
lack of progress by Ethiopia and Djibouti to resolve the issue of premium sharing; the continued
concern by the Clearing and Forwarding Agents in Zambia on the fear of loss of business and
the delays by Office of Burundi Revenue (OBR) in finalizing the integration between the RCTGMIS and the ASYCUDA World, as the main causes for the delays in the implementation of the
RCTG Carnet in the Djibouti and North–South Corridors and urged the Member States to
address the issues without further delays. Finally, he requested the Council of RCTG to
thoroughly consider the agenda items tabled before the meeting and make decisions to
strengthen the operations of the Scheme.
Vote of thanks
8.
The delegate from DR Congo Al-Haji Bushiri Ramazani, Principal Director, Société
Nationale d’Assurance (SONAS)-Southern and Eastern Regions moved a vote of thanks on
behalf of the delegates. In his statement, he thanked the Guest of Honour for finding time from
his busy schedule to come and open the meeting.
9.
The 9th Meeting of the Council of the Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG)
Scheme was chaired by Mr. Bayo Folayan, the Managing Director of NIC General Insurance
Company Ltd of Uganda and the Chairperson of the Council of RCTG.
Election of the Bureau (Agenda item 2)
10.
The Meeting maintained the current bureau as follows:
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Rapporteur
: Uganda
: Zimbabwe
: Burundi
Adoption of Agenda and Organisation of Work (Agenda item 3)
11.
The meeting adopted the following agenda:
i)
Opening of the meeting
ii)
Election of the Bureau
iii)
Adoption of Agenda and Organization of Work
iv)
Progress Report on the implementation of the Regional Customs Transit Guarantee
(RCTG) Scheme
v)
Report of the Focal Persons of KRA, URA, RRA, TRA, OBR and DGDA on the
operations of the RCTG CARNET
vi)
Report of the Eight Meeting of the Management Committee of the Regional Customs
Transit Guarantee (RCTG) Scheme
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12.
vii)
Report of the Second Meeting of the Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG)
Scheme Technical Working Group (TWG) of IT Experts
viii)
Managers’ Report on the Operations of the Reinsurance Pool of the RCTG Scheme
ix)
RCTG Reinsurance Pool Financial Highlights as at 31st August 2015
x)
The Improved RCTG-MIS
xi)
Report on the interface of the RCTG-MIS with ASYCUDA World, TANCIS and
SIMBA
xii)
Election of a new Management Committee of the RCTG Scheme
xiii)
Proposed RCTG Annual Work Programme for 2015/16
xiv)
Revised Proposal on Self-financing arrangement for the RCTG Scheme
xv)
Date and Venue of the next meeting
xvi)
Any Other Business
xvii)
Adoption of the Report and Closure of the Meeting
The meeting agreed on the following hours of work:
Morning
09 .00 -
12.30
Afternoon
14.00 - 17.00
III. ACCOUNT OF PROCEEDINGS
Progress Report on the Implementation of the Regional Customs Transit Guarantee
Scheme (RCTG CARNET) (Agenda item 4)
13.
A representative of the COMESA Secretariat presented document No. CS/C-RCTG/IX/3:
Progress Report on the Implementation of the Regional Customs Transit Guarantee Scheme
(RCTG-CARNET). He informed the meeting that the focus of 2015 RCTG Work Programme
was to strengthen the operations of the Scheme in the Northern Corridor countries and to
commence the operations in Central, Dar and other Corridors. In line with the Annual Work
Programme and pursuant to the decisions of the 8th Meeting of the Council of RCTG and
recommendations of the 8th Meeting of the Management Committee of the RCTG several
activities were carried out and missions were mounted to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi,
Ethiopia, Tanzania, Congo DR and South Sudan from October to December 2014 and from
January to September 2015. During the missions consultations were held with Customs
Administrations, National and Primary Sureties, Clearing and Forwarding Agents, the Pool
Managers (ZEP-RE), Government Authorities and other stakeholders on the operations and
implementation issues of the RCTG CARNET.
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
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14.
On the operations of the RCTG CARNET, the meeting was informed that a good
progress was made since the roll out of the scheme in 2012 and to date a total of 469 RCTG
General Bonds, amounting to US$283millions, were executed in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and
Tanzania. During the same period over 21,842 Carnets were issued for goods in transit in the
region and in total 433 Clearing and Forwarding Agents (of which 90% were SMEs) and 42
Insurance companies were participating in the operations of the RCTG CARNET, as
summarized in table 1 below:
Table 1: Status of operations of the RCTG CARNET as at 30st September 2015
Country Number of Amount of
Number of
Number of
Number of
RCTG/Bond RCTG/Bond
RCTG
Clearing
Sureties
executed
(USD)
Carnet
Agents
issued
Kenya
43
70,803,008.94
4,324
43
19
Uganda
202
165,076,203.76
4,026
202
18
Rwanda 170
39,554,529.36
13,164
170
04
Tanzania
18
7,824,152.14
328
18
01
Total
433
283,257,894.20
21,842
433
42
15.
The Meeting was further informed that the highlights of the activities carried out,
missions mounted, consultations held, workshops conducted and the progress made during the
period under review were as follows:
A. Northern Corridor
a) Kenya
16.
During the mission to Kenya in July 2015, a meeting was held with Kenya Revenue
Authority (KRA) on the integration between the RCTG-MIS and SIMBA systems. Following the
discussion a detailed Activity Plan was adopted and COMESA Secretariat agreed to assign a
Software Engineer to work with KRA for two weeks to implement the activity plan on the
integration of the systems.
17.
In addition, consultations were also held with the ZEP-RE: the Pool Managers on the
operations of the Reinsurance Pool, particularly on the issues of submission of returns, payment
of cessions and on the issues raised by National and Primary Sureties on the terms and
conditions of the Reinsurance Treaty. Following the discussions, the following was agreed:
a) Counter indemnity should apply to all standard risks and collateral should be demanded
only on high risk cases,
b) Properties for Collaterals should be physically inspected by Valuers and Insurers.
c) The Reinsurance Treaty with amended terms and conditions be circulated to National
Sureties.
d) The Treaty document format should have RCTG and Zep-Re Logos, and
e) Pool Managers and the Secretariat should make a close follow up on submission of
returns and payment of premium cessions to the Pool.
b) Uganda and Rwanda
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18.
During the July 2015 mission to Mombasa, Kenya, a meeting was held with URA and
RRA Customs Officials operating at Mombasa Port to assess the usage of the RCTG CARNET
on the goods destined to warehouses in Uganda and Rwanda under the SCT regime and the
following was observed:
a) ASYCUDA World was integrated with RCTG-MIS;
b) ASYCUDA World generates a Carnet automatically;
c) All transactions were captured on ASYCUDA World and automatically mirrored into
the RCTG-MIS; and
d) Uganda was mostly being used as the main distribution centre (warehousing) for
goods destined to DRC, South Sudan and Rwanda.
B. Central Corridor
19.
A National Stakeholders’ Workshop on RCTG Scheme was conducted in Dar-Es
Salaam, Tanzania in May 2015 to review the status of the roll-out of the RCTG CARNET in the
country. The Workshop adopted the Activity Plan for the commencement of the RCTG Scheme
in Tanzania. The Secretariat jointly with TRA also trained Customs Officials and selected
Clearing Agents on the execution of the RCTG Bonds and processing Carnets using Tanzania
Customs Integrated System (TANCIS).
20.
A meeting of the Primary Sureties was also conducted in Dar-Es Salaam, Tanzania in
June 2015. In preparations for the commencement of operations, the Sureties made the
following requests:
a) TRA to provide clarification on the application of 18% VAT when converting local bonds
into regional bonds.
b) COMESA Secretariat to provide clarification on the collateral requirements and;
c) The National Surety to provide required documents such as the RCTG Bond and
Standard Application form.
21.
The Council of RCTG was informed that the requests of the Primary Sureties were
answered.
22.
Regarding the commencement of the operations of the RCTG CARNET in Burundi, the
meeting was informed that a mission which was planned from 11th to 15th May 2015 to train
stakeholders on the operations of the Scheme was postponed as Presidential and parliamentary
elections were taking place during the period.
Decisions
23.
Taking into account the progress made on the operations of the RCTG CARNET in
the Central Corridor, the Council of RCTG decided that:
a) TRA, National Surety (NIC) and Association of Tanzania Insurers (ATI) should
encourage more Clearing Agents and Primary Sureties to participate in the
operations of the Scheme in Tanzania and
b) Office of Burundi Revenue should finalize outstanding activities and commence
the operations of the Scheme without further delays.
Operational Challenges
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24.
The Council of RCTG was informed that despite encouraging progress made in the
operations of the RCTG CARNET in the Northern and Central Corridors, the following
operational challenges were being faced:
Revenue Authorities
a) Issuance of Carnet per container and acquittal per consignment on non-homogeneous
goods.
b) Delays in Carnet acquittal.
c) SIMBA and ASYCUDA World were not integrated thus delays release of goods under
SCT.
d) Errors in filling the RCTG Bond document; and
e) Customs Administrations were not circulating the true copies of the executed RCTG
Bond, and any changes made therein, to concern Customs Administrations participating
in the scheme.
Clearing and Forwarding Agents
a) Capturing Carnet in RCTG-MIS despite that it is automatically generated by ASYCUDA
World; and
b) Lack of training and awareness.
Sureties: Insurance Companies
a) Inclusion of non- member countries on the RCTG Bond document, such as South
Sudan;
b) Delays in submission of premium returns and payment of cession to the Pool;
c) Capacity limitation of the National Sureties; and
d) Limited engagement between Revenue Authorities and Sureties.
25.
In the discussions that ensued, the following observations were made:
i)
The delegate of Burundi informed the meeting that the situation in Burundi had improved
and requested the Secretariat that the training for stakeholders, which was postponed,
be carried out in November 2015;
ii) The delegate of Kenya informed the meeting that the integration between SIMBA and
ASYCUDA was achieved prior to the roll out of the SCT;
iii) The term “high risk” should be defined, where collateral was required or demanded for
RCTG Bonds involving high risk cases;
iv) The RCTG Reinsurance Treaty requirement for collateral on “high risk” should be looked
into;
v) Customs Authorities should review their list of sensitive goods to ensure that the list was
still valid;
vi) The minimum rate of 0.50% for RCTG Bonds should be clearly stated that the rate is per
transaction and per year;
vii) Carnet cannot be issued and acquitted per container where the National Customs
systems has a limitation; and
viii) Revenue Authorities should explore other possibilities of monitoring sensitive goods from
commencement to destination.
Decisions
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26.
Taking into account the observations made and in order to address the
challenges, the Council of RCTG made the following decisions:
a) Revenue Authorities who were not issuing and acquitting Carnets per container
should review their systems to do so;
b) Secretariat jointly with Revenue Authorities should regularly train and sensitize
Clearing Agents and Primary Sureties on the operations of the RCTG Scheme;
c) The RCTG Bond should be executed correctly without errors;
d) The Pool Managers, in consultation with the National Sureties, should issue notice
of suspension to Primary Sureties who had not submitted quarterly returns and
effected payment of premium cession to the Pool for consecutive three quarters;
e) Revenue Authorities should collaborate with National Sureties on the issuance of
Notice of suspension to Primary Sureties Primary Sureties who had not submitted
their returns to the Pool within the prescribed time limit;
f) Revenue Authorities should put in place a system to automatically acquit Carnets
upon successful termination of transits; and
g) National Sureties should develop their capacity to oversee the operations of the
RCTG Carnet in their market.
C. Djibouti Corridor
27.
The Council of RCTG was informed that no progress was made by Djibouti and Ethiopia
on the negotiations of sharing of premiums of RCTG Bond, despite the effort by COMESA
Secretarial to engage the Customs Administrations and National Sureties of the two countries
28.
In the discussion that ensued, the following observations were made:
a) A high level COMESA delegating had visited South Sudan at end of September 2015
and engaged Government Authorises, among other issues on the implementation of
the RCTG. South Sudan Authorities had expressed their readiness to formally join
COMESA and implement COMESA programmes and requested COMESA Member
States and the Secretariat to provide support on the implementation of the
programmes and projects.; and
b) The delegate of Sudan informed the meeting that the Djibouti Corridor involving
Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan was held in June 2015 in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia and that the Sudan was ready to implement the RCTG scheme after the
signing of the Agreement by Member States of the Djibouti Corridor. He then
requested the Secretariat to conduct training for Customs offices and organize a
workshop on the RCTG operations for Clearing and Forwarding Agents and Sureties.
Decisions
29. The Council of RCTG decided as follows:
a) Djibouti and Ethiopia should finalize the negotiations on the modalities of sharing
of premiums on the RCTG Bonds and commence the operations of the RCTG
CARNET between the two countries;
b) Djibouti, Ethiopia and Sudan should commence the process of interfacing the
RCTG-MIS and ASYCUDA systems and
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c) Secretariat should provide necessary technical support including conducting
trainings and organizing workshops on the RCTG operations for Customs
Officers, Clearing and Forwarding Agents and Sureties as and when Djibouti,
Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan made a definite commitment to commence the
operations of the RCTG Scheme.
D. Dar-Es Salaam and North-South Corridor
30.
The meeting was informed that the Director General of SONAS signed the Inter-Surety
Agreement with the COMESA Secretary General in Kinshasa on 10th July 2015 and DR Congo
became a member of the Scheme. Following DR Congo joining the Scheme, a, Stakeholders’
Workshop on RCTG Scheme was conducted in Lubumbashi, DR Congo in August 2015. The
Workshop adopted a Schedule of Activities for the commencement of the operations of the
Scheme subject to approval by the Head Offices of “DGDA” and SONAS. During the visit
consultation was held with DGDA officials in Lubumbashi and the following was observed:
a) The Focal Person to be appointed preferably be from Katanga Province as most of the
transit operations were from the region;
b) Configuration and integration of systems be carried out in Kinshasa DGDA
Headquarters; and
c) The “Single Customs Territory” was already being piloted between Tanzania and DR
Congo at Kasumbalesa border.
31.
The Council of RCTG was informed that SONAS had requested the Secretariat to train
their staff based in Bunia and Goma on the operations of the RCTG Scheme from 17th to 24th
September 2015 but this was not possible as the Secretariat had prior commitments. A mission
was planned for November 2015 to train SONAS and DGDA officers on the operations of the
RCTG Scheme.
32.
In the discussion that followed the delegate DR Congo informed that meeting that the
Commissioner General of DGDA has authorized the activities for commencement of the RCTG
be carried and that the COMESA Secretariat should provide the necessary support for the
implementation of the planned activities. The delegate also underscored that the Focal Person
for DGDA should be appointed from the Headquarters in Kinshasa in order for the appointed
officer to be able to oversee the implementation of the scheme in all regions of the country.
33.
The delegate of Malawi informed the meeting that Malawi was ready to implement the
scheme and the Secretariat should provide support in terms of training and workshop for the
successful implementation of the scheme
34.
With regard to the implementation of the scheme in Zambia, the meeting was informed
that the Secretariat convened Stakeholders’ Workshop in Zambia on 7th September 2015, in
Lusaka to address the concerns of the Clearing and Forwarding Agents that the implementation
of the RCTG CARNET would result in revenue and job losses. The facts and figures presented
to the Workshop showed that the RCTG would not result in job losses to the industry. The
Workshop underscored the need to continue the engagement and agreed that:
a) The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to convene a Stakeholders’ Meeting to
discuss all the issues raised and inform the Secretariat of the outcome of the meeting;
b) COMESA Secretariat should carry out awareness on the RCTG Scheme; and
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c) A Task Force should be established to visit and share the experience from the member
countries in which are participating in the RCTG Scheme is operations.
Decisions
35.
In order to ensure the implementation of the RCTG CARNET in the Dar-Es Salaam
and North-South Corridors, the meeting decided that the Secretariat should:
a) Provide technical support to Congo DR to finalize the preparations and
commence the operations of the RCTG CARNET;
b) Conduct training and organized stakeholders workshop in Malawi to facilitate the
implementation of the scheme in the country; and
c) Engage the Government and stakeholders of Zambia to build consensus for the
implementation of the Scheme in the country.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
E. The Operations of the RCTG Manager
36.
On the Management Agreement between the RCTG Operations Manager and the
COMESA Secretariat, the meeting was informed that the Agreement came to an end on 17th
March 2014 due to lack of funds to pay the Management Fee. It was recalled that the
Secretariat had issued a three months’ notice of termination to the RCTG Manager on 16th
December 2013. Following the appeal made by Indigo Logistics & Procurement Ltd to work
without payment for one year expecting that the financial position of the Scheme would improve,
the Agreement was extended for a period of one year from 18th March 2014 to 17th March 2015
on suspension of Management Fee. However, the financial position of the RCTG Scheme had
not improved as expected and the Management Agreement expired on 18th March 2015.
37.
The meeting was further informed that Indigo Logistics & Procurement Ltd through their
lawyers served COMESA Secretariat with a notification to have the matter of the termination of
the Management Agreement referred to the COMESA Court of Justice for Arbitration. Upon
receiving communication from the attorneys of Indigo Logistics & Procurement Ltd, Secretariat
COMESA undertook a mission to Nairobi, Kenya in July 2015 to have the matter resolved out of
court. After discussion, the Secretariat requested Indigo Logistics and Procurement Ltd to
provide supporting documentation for their claim, which they have not yet produced.
F. Review of the RCTG Instruments
38.
Regarding the review of the RCTG Instrument, the meeting was informed that a
Consultant had been hired to review the RCTG Instruments under the funding of the European
Union through Regional Integration Support Programme (RISP). The RCTG Instruments under
review include:
i)
ii)
iii)
RCTG Operations Manual;
Inter-Surety Agreement of the RCTG Scheme; and
RCTG Agreement.
39.
The meeting was further informed that the Consultant visited Kenya and Uganda in July
2015 to get a first-hand experience and consulted the stakeholders on the operations of the
RCTG Scheme. The consultant was expected to submit the draft Revised Operations Manual
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
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and Instruments at the end of October 2015 and the Draft Revised Instruments would be
circulated to all stakeholders to solicit views and comments.
G. Loan advance of US$500,000 to the Council of RCTG Scheme by the Council of
Bureaux of the Yellow Card Scheme.
40.
The Council of RCTG was informed that the Loan Agreement between the Council of
RCTG and the Council of Bureaux of the Yellow Card Scheme was signed on 1st October 2014
but the funds were yet to be transferred to the RCTG Reinsurance Pool Account.
Decision
41.
Given that the loan advance had not yet been transferred from the Yellow Card Scheme
to the RCTG Reinsurance Pool Account and taking into account the premium income generated
by the RCTG Pool, Council of RCTG decided that the loan advance of US$500,000 from the
Council of Yellow Card scheme be discontinued. The meeting directed the Secretariat to
accordingly write to the Chairperson of the Council of Bureaux of the Yellow Card Scheme with
appreciation for support offered.
H. The Funding of the RCTG CARNET
42.
The Council of RCTG was informed that with the COMESA Secretariat allocation of
funds for the RCTG Scheme from CVTFS Project, it was made possible to hire a Consultant to
review the RCTG Instruments and convened the 2nd meeting of the Technical Working Group of
the IT Experts as well as 9th Meeting of the Council of the RCTG Scheme. The Council of RCTG
was further informed that the possibility of getting further funding for the scheme from
Cooperating Partners and other sources was slim.
43.
Regarding the self-financing arrangement for RCTG CARNET, it was recalled
8th Meeting of the Council of RCTG decided that:
that the
a) The minimum premium rate be reduced from 0.75 to 0.50%;
b) An administrative fee of 10% (from the 80% session) be allocated to the Council of
RCTG Budget and be implemented with effect from 1st January 2015.
44.
The meeting was informed that the minimum premium rate of 0.5% was implemented on
1st January 2015. The Meeting was further informed that the 10% administration fee allocation
from Reinsurance Pool was yet to be transferred to COMESA Secretariat.
Decision
45.
The Council of RCTG decided that the Pool Manager should transfer the 10%
allocated funds from the Pool to COMESA Secretariat as soon as possible and before
30th October 2015.
Report of the Focal Persons of KRA, URA, RRA, TRA, OBR and DGDA on the operations of
the RCTG CARNET (Agenda Item 5)
46.
The representatives of the Revenue Authorities of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania
and Office of Burundi Revenue DR Congo Customs Authority presented the country reports on
the status of implementation of the RCTG CARNET as follows:
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Burundi
47.
The Council of RCTG was informed that OBR had carried out the following activities:
a) Identified 5 Clearing & Forwarding companies to participate in the roll out of the RCTG
CARNET.
b) Finalized integration between the RCTG-MIS with ASYCUDA World and was testing the
functionalities.
48.
Regarding outstanding activities, the meeting was informed as follows:
a) Translation of Bond forms and RCTG-MIS in French; and
b) Training of the stakeholders on the operations of the RCTG Scheme.
49.
In the discussions that followed, the Secretariat informed the meeting that Bond forms
and RCTG-MIS had been translated in French and that the French version would be
implemented once the improved RCTG-MIS was rolled out. The delegate of Burundi requested
the Secretariat to assign a technical expert to assist in finalizing the integration of the RCTGMIS with the ASYCUDA system.
DR Congo
50.
The Council of RCTG was informed that following the Stakeholders Workshop on the
operations of the RCTG Scheme in August 2015 in Lubumbashi, the Management of SONAS
approved the Activity Plan that was adopted by the workshop. The meeting was informed that
the dates fixed for training of officers and experts from SONAS, DGDA and Agents based in the
Eastern and Southern Regions of DR Congo was from 17th to 24th September 2015, however
training was postponed to November 2015 as the Secretariat had prior commitments.
51.
The meeting was further informed that the management of DGDA had assigned the
Director of Tariff and Rules of Origin to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of
the workshop such as the integration of the RCTG-MIS with ASYCUDA World and the decision
of the Management would be communicated to the Secretariat soon.
Kenya
52.
The meeting was informed that KRA developed the interface between SIMBA and
RCTG-MIS and following successful tests with the EAC Partner States, the fully integration
system had gone live during the first week of October 2015.
53.
The meeting was further informed that the challenges that were being faced included the
following:
a) No local COMESA contact person/company to handle RCTG enquiries and
management of passwords;
b) The uptake of RCTG Scheme by the Agents was slow hence, more national bonds
being executed as opposed to RCTG Bonds; and
c) Limited knowledge of RCTG Bond processes nationally, hence the need for continuous
sensitization.
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
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54.
In the discussion that followed the delegate of KRA informed the meeting the following:
a) KRA would put message in its systems to gradually replace the local bond with RCTG
Bond; and
b) KRA would hold regular meetings with C&FA and Sureties to ensure the successful
implementation of the integrated system and the replacement of the local bond with
RCTG Bonds.
Decisions
55.
To address the challenges, the Council of RCTG decided that:
a) Issuance of passwords should be done by KRA IT Focal Person and;
b) Revenue Authorities should include RCTG Scheme in their training module.
Rwanda
56.
The meeting was informed as follows;
a) using single declaration in the Northern Corridor (reduced from 3 to 1) reduced the cost
of transit from US$600 to US$250 thus saving $350;
b) using single declaration in the Central Corridor (reduced from 2 to 1) reduced the cost of
transit from US$400 to US$150 thus saving $250;
c) The number of Carnet processed in 2014 was 4,138 and as at October 2015 the number
rose to 13,164; and
d)
Total saving on direct costs within 3 years of implementation of the RCTG CARNET
was estimated to be US$7.1 million.
Tanzania
57.
The Council of RCTG was informed that TRA carried out the following in preparation for
the roll out of the RCTG Scheme in the country:
a) Issued an advert to officially roll out RCTG with effect from 1st June 2015 with Rwanda
and other EAC countries under the auspices of the SCT.
b) Jointly with RRA identified the list of commodities with varying tax rates and created a
taxation rule to pick a higher rate during bond computation.
c) Jointly with the Secretariat of the Association of Tanzania Insurers sensitized Primary
Sureties in June 2015 on the operations of the RCTG Scheme.
d) Sent a notice to the Sureties on VAT Act, 2014, exempting bonds executed to cover
transit goods.
Uganda
58.
The Council of RCTG was informed that URA developed the integration between RCGMIS and ASYCUDA World and tested the integration. The meeting was further informed that the
standard integration framework was piloted in April 2015.
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
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59.
The meeting noted the Revenue Authorities Focal Persons Reports.
Report of the Eight Meeting of the Management Committee of the Regional Customs
Transit Guarantee (RCTG) Scheme (Agenda item 6)
60.
The COMESA Secretariat presented document No CS/C-RCTG/IX/5: Report of the
Eighth Meeting of the Management Committee (MC) of the Regional Customs Transit
Guarantee (RCTG) Scheme. The Council of RCTG was informed that the 8th Meeting of the MC
was held from 29th to 30th April 2015, in Kigali, Rwanda. The meeting was attended by MC
members from Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The Council also informed that the meeting was
also attended by the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Association (FEAFFA), the
Federation of Clearing and Forwarding Associations of Southern Africa (FCFASA), ZEP-RE
(PTA Reinsurance Company) and the COMESA Secretariat. The Council of RCTG further noted
that Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania and Zimbabwe also had attended the meeting as observers.
In considering the report, the Council of RCTG noted the highlights of the report as follows:
a) Consolidation of the roll out of the RCTG CARNET in the Northern Corridor
61.
The Council of RCTG noted the highlights of the activities carried out in the Northern
Corridor countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi as follows:
Kenya
62.
The Council of RCTG noted that a Stakeholders’ Workshop on the operations of the
RCTG Scheme was conducted in Mombasa in February 2015. The issues raised and
observations made were as follows:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
The premiums rates in Kenya were higher than other Member States because risk of
transit goods was higher in countries of first entry than in landlocked countries;
The Scheme should allow Clearing Agents to execute both Insurance Bonds and Bank
Guarantees as some sensitive goods were required to have Bank Guarantees;
Some Agents had no counterpart at Malaba and Katuna/Gatuna thus Carnet issued for
goods destined to Uganda and Rwanda were delaying to be acquitted;
Shipping Lines were charging foreign Clearing Agents container deposit;
One Clearing Agent had a Bond as well as a Guarantee issued by Imperial Bank;
RCTG-MIS was logging out users in the middle of issuing a Carnet whenever the system
remained idle for few minutes; and
Bond and Carnet numbers were not being captured on the IM 7 for goods destined to
Uganda and Rwanda and hence there was need for URA and RRA to configure the
document to process RCTG CARNET.
Decisions
63.
The Council of RCTG endorsed the following 8th Management Committee Meeting
recommendations
i)
ii)
KRA to issue SIMBA adverts advising stakeholders to continue with the RCTG
bonds even for goods delisted from SCT instead of the National Bond;
KRA and Kenya-Re: National Surety, to engage Clearing Agents to use one bond
from one Surety;
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
Page 15
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
viii)
ix)
x)
KRA should fast-track the interface between RCTG-MIS and the New
SIMBA/KENTRADE;
COMESA Secretariat to engage URA and RRA to devise a system to acquit Carnet
at the Malaba and Katuna/Gatuna border posts and all outstanding Carnet;
COMESA Secretariat to engage Banks to participate in the RCTG Scheme;
COMESA Secretariat to engage URA and RRA to configure their IM 7 ( to capture
RCTG Bond and Carnet numbers ) in order to enable Agents to process their
Carnets; and
Primary Sureties should adhere to the decision of the Council of RCTG and
submit their quarterly premium returns to the Reinsurance Pool and settle their
account on time;
National Sureties, in accordance with the decisions of the Council of RCTG
should suspend Primary Sureties who had not submitted their returns to the
Reinsurance Pool within the prescribed time limit;
URA and RRA should institute a system to acquit outstanding Carnet; and
Member States should standardize and harmonize their procedures and practices
in the operations of the RCTG Scheme.
Decisions
64.
The Council of RCTG noted the recommendations made by the 8th Management to
address the Surety issues in Rwanda.
Burundi
65.
The Council of RCTG noted that the Secretariat had held consultative meetings with the
Office of Burundi Revenue (OBR) and the National Surety of Burundi (SOCABU) in November
2014 in preparation for the roll out of the operations of the Scheme in Burundi. The Council of
RCTG also noted that a Stakeholders’ Workshop on the operations of the RCTG Scheme was
conducted in Bujumbura in November 2014.
66.
The Council of RCTG further noted that in consultation with OBR, all the activities
scheduled for April 2015 were postponed to May 2015 due to the busy schedule of the
Secretariat.
b) Implementation of the RCTG CARNET in the Central Corridor
67.
The Council of RCTG noted that a National Stakeholders’ Workshop on RCTG Scheme
was conducted in Dar-Es Salaam in November 2014 to review the status of the roll out of the
Scheme in Tanzania.
68.
The Council of RCTG also noted that the Secretariat attended a meeting in Dar-Es
Salaam in January 2015 which was organized jointly by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)
and National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC) as a working session for developing a
roadmap for Tanzania joining the COMESA Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG)
Scheme and adopted the roadmap for implementing the RCTG Scheme in the country.
69.
The Council of RCTG further noted that the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) of
Tanzania signed the Inter-Surety Agreement during the official opening of the 38th Meeting of
the Technical Management Committee of the Yellow Card Reinsurance Pool, held on 9th April
2015 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
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c) Implementation of the RCTG CARNET in the Djibouti Corridor
70.
The Council of RCTG noted that a National Stakeholders’ Workshop on RCTG Scheme
was conducted in Addis Ababa in November 2014 to finalize the preparations for the
implementation of the Scheme between Djibouti and Ethiopia and the following understanding
was reached:
i)
The Ethiopian Insurers Association should consult Chief Executive Officers of the
Insurance Companies on the sharing of premiums between the National Sureties of
Ethiopia and Djibouti; and
ii)
The Directorate of Customs Department and Ethiopian Insurers Association should meet
within two weeks from the date of the Workshop to agree on a common position that
would be taken to 7th Meeting of Bilateral Engagement with the Government which would
be held in January 2015.
71.
The Council of RCTG further noted that during a follow up mission mounted to Ethiopia
in February 2015, the Secretariat held a consultative meeting with Ethiopian Revenues and
Customs Authority (ERCA) and the National Surety and it was noted that the Government of
Ethiopia had given a directive to the Ethiopian Insurance Corporation to meet their counterpart
in Djibouti in order to agree on the modalities of sharing premiums on the RCTG Bonds between
the two countries.
d) Implementation of the RCTG CARNET in the North-South Corridor
72.
The Council of RCTG noted that the Secretariat held consultative meetings on the
implementation of the RCTG Scheme in Zimbabwe in April 215 with Zimbabwe Revenue
Authority (ZIMRA) and Federation of Clearing & Forwarding Agency Association of Southern
Africa (FCFASA) and the following issues and concerns were observed:
i)
ii)
iii)
Due to geographical location of Zimbabwe the importance of Zambia, Mozambique and
South Africa joining and implementing the Scheme was emphasized. It was also pointed
out that SADC and COMESA should work together on Regional Customs Bond
Scheme in order for the stakeholders to maximize the benefit to be derived from the
implementation of the Scheme;
Due to the peculiar nature of the Zimbabwe Clearing and Forwarding Market being
dominated by local players there was need to carry out an impact assessment on the
implementation of the Scheme on various stakeholders ; and
ZIMRA requested for the legal Instruments to check whether the Government of
Zimbabwe had signed and ratified the Agreement as well as to examine the modalities of
operations of the RCTG Scheme.
73.
The Council of RCTG further noted that the Secretariat sent a letter to Malawi Revenue
Authority in March 2015 requesting them to finalize preparations in readiness for the
commencement of the operations of the RCTG CARNET with Tanzania.
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
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Report of the Focal Persons of KRA, URA, RRA, TRA & OBR on the operations of the RCTG
CARNET
74.
The Council of RCTG noted that the country reports were presented by the Revenue
Authorities of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Office of Burundi on the status of
implementation of the RCTG CARNET in their respective countries.
75.
The Council of RCTG also noted that RRA submitted the following proposals to the
Management Committee for consideration:
a) Introduction of Risk based premium; and
b) Considering renaming RCTG due to current business requirements and Customs
Reforms (SCT).
Decisions
76.
The Council of RCTG endorsed the following 8th Management Committee Meeting
recommendations that the Secretariat should:
a) Build capacity at National Level by training the trainers;
b) Consider the standardization and setting up the minimum and maximum premium
rate for the RCTG Bond ; and
c) Consult stakeholders on the possibility of reviewing the name of the RCTG
Scheme to correctly reflect the practical operations of the Scheme.
Proposed Budget of the Management Committee of the RCTG Scheme for 2015/2016
77.
The Council of RCTG noted that a presentation had been made to the 8th Meeting of the
Management Committee on the proposed Budget of the Management Committee of the RCTG
Scheme for 2015/2016. The Council of RCTG also noted that the Secretariat had not received
any budget contribution from National Sureties thus the 8th Meeting of the MC was held with the
financial support from cooperating partners and the National Sureties who attended the meeting
on behalf of all members were not paid their sitting allowances due to insufficient funds.
78.
The Council of RCTG further noted that for the fiscal year 2015/16, the Management
Committee would require US$ 80,400 as shown in the table1 below:
Table 1: Proposed Annual Budget for the MC of the RCTG Scheme-July 2015 to
June 2016
Budget Item
Estimated Expenditure
Total Cost (US$)
Cost of return air tickets
 MC is composed of five National 16,800
Sureties and four ex-officio
members.
 cost of return air ticket for
fourteen
(14)
members:
US$1200 x 14
DSA
US$250 per day x 14 x 3 days
10,500
Conference package
US$2,900
2,900
Cost of air ticket and DSA
4,800
 cost of air ticket: $1,200 x 4
for four Secretariat staff
3,000
 DSA: US$250 x 3 x 4 days
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
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members
Contingency
Total cost for one MC
Meeting
Total cost for two MC
Meetings

DSA: US$300 x1 x4 days
1,200
1,000
40,200
80,400
79.
The Council of RCTG noted that the Budget of the Management Committee shall be
shared in equal proportions by all the current ten (10) National Sureties each contributing
US$8,040 as shown in Table II below:
Table II: Total amount of contribution required from each National Surety, including
arrears
NATIONAL SURETY 2015/16
ARREARS AS AT
TOTAL AMOUNT
CONTRIBUTION TO 15.05.2015
REQUIRED FROM
THE ANNUAL
EACH NATIONAL
BUDGET OF THE
SURETY (US$)
MC (US $)
Burundi
8,040
35,839.66
43,879.66
Djibouti
8,040
17,466.66
25,506.66
Ethiopia
8,040
50,190.66
58,230.66
Kenya
8,040
43,127.66
51,167.66
Malawi
8,040
50,190.66
58,230.66
Rwanda
8,040
35,839.66
43,879.66
Sudan
8,040
50,190.66
58,230.66
Tanzania
8,040
8,040
Uganda
8,040
8,733.33
16,773.33
Zimbabwe
8,040
17,466.66
25,506.66
TOTAL
80,400
309,045.61
389,445.61
80.
The Council of RCTG noted with concern the non-payment of the contributions to the
budget of the Management Committee by the National Sureties.
Decisions
81.
The Council of RCTG adopted the Annual Budget of the Management Committee and
endorsed the following 8th MC Meeting recommendations:
a) The Annual Budget of the Management Committee of the RCTG for the period 1st July
2015 to 30th June 2016 be US$80,400.
b) The National Sureties should each contribute US$8,040 to the Annual Budget of the
Management Committee.
c) The National Sureties who have not paid their contributions to the budget of the
Management Committee of the RCTG Scheme should clear their arrears at the earliest
possible time and by 31st December 2015 at the latest.
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
Page 19
d) National Surety and Customs Administration should jointly engage Primary Sureties to
persuade them to pay their share of contribution to the budget of the Management
Committee.
e) National Sureties should provide to the Secretariat their schedule of payment to clear
their arrears on budget contribution.
f) The Secretariat should aggressively persuade the issue of payment of budget
contribution by National Sureties.
Any Other Business
82.
The Council of the RCTG noted that FEAFFA had informed the 8th MC meeting that
EAC was planning to develop a regional bond and urged the COMESA Secretariat to work with
the EAC and come up with a framework for harmonization of the two systems in order to avoid
duplication of efforts and waste of resources.
Report of the Second Meeting of the Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG)
Scheme Technical Working Group (TWG) of IT Experts (Agenda Item 7)
83.
The COMESA Secretariat presented document No. CS/RCTG/TWG/II/7: Report of the
Second Meeting of the RCTG Technical Working Group (TWG) of IT Experts. The Council of
RCTG noted that the 2nd Meeting of the RCTG Technical Working Group of IT Experts was
held from 15th to 17th September 2015, in Lusaka, Zambia. The meeting was attended by IT
Experts and Customs Business Analysts from Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania
and Uganda. In considering the report, the Council of RCTG noted the highlights of the report as
follows:
A. Implementation of the Integrated System (RCTG-MIS and NCS)
84.
The Council of RCTG noted that the Revenue Authorities of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania,
Uganda and Office of Burundi Revenue (OBR) had implemented the integration functionalities
as follows:
Burundi
85.
The Council of RCTG noted that OBR had implemented all the integration functionalities
and made the following changes on ASYCUDA World:
a)
b)
c)
d)
86.
Bond Account: included field for Surety details;
SAD form: included bond type, bond and Carnet numbers;
T1: included bond type, bond and Carnet numbers;
Created a temporary account on IM8 to permit normal operations in ASYCUDA World.
The Council of RCTG also noted that OBR was facing the following challenges:
a) IDES and RCTG-MIS servers were not stable; and
b) There was still connectivity challenge.
Kenya
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
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87.
The Council of RCTG noted that KRA had implemented all the integration functionalities
except Carnet Acquittal and the integration process was done as follows:
a) Bonds were processed in Simba 2005 and the information sent via web services to IDES
server located within KRA LAN for onward transmission to other Member States through
RCTGMIS central server;
b) Other updates performed in Simba are also transmitted through the IDES to Partner
States;
c) Information from Member States is transmitted through IDES and replicated in
Simba 2005 database;
d) Development of acquittal of Carnet was postponed to phase II; and
e) Created a temporary account on IM8 to permit normal operations in ASYCUDA World.
88.
The Council of RCTG further noted the following observations: made by the meeting
a) The policy of the KRA does not allow apportioning of bond per truck/ load/container;
b) If the intermediate server (IDES) cannot communicate with the Central server the bond
balances in different countries shall be at variance;
c) Kenya is in the process of acquiring a new Customs system which means integration will
have to be done again.
Rwanda
89.
The Council of RCTG noted that RRA had implemented all the integration functionalities
except Notification and updates and the integration process was done as follows:
a) The integration framework considers the creation of RCTG Carnet using the
following two options:
i) Creation of RCTG carnet for WH7 declaration;
ii) Creation of Independent RCTG carnet for IM7 declaration.
b) The integration framework was being piloted with maritime trade for goods from DarEs Salaam Port and for intra-region trade for goods originating from Tanzania and
Uganda destined for warehousing in Rwanda.
90.
The Council of RCTG also noted the following observations made by the meeting:
a) Bond over utilization especially when the bond is utilized in another country;
b) Bond Account statement issue;
c) RRA and TRA have identified the list of commodities with varying tax rates and
created a taxation rule to pick a higher rate during bond computation; and
d) Creation of RCTG bond (Multiple vs Single creation)
Decisions
91.
The Council of RCTG endorsed the following 2nd RCTG Technical Working Group
meeting recommendations:
a) RCTG-MIS should be enhanced to generate bond account statements;
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
Page 21
b) Tax rates should be agreed at bilateral level and use tax rules in the NCS to
pick a higher rate during bond computation;
c) There should be a disclaimer to the Clearing Agents public indicating that the
exchange rates for the Dollar are subject variation due to local currency
fluctuation;
d) COMESA Secretariat should provide in writing that in case of bond over
utilization due to administrative or technical issues, the over utilized bond
shall still be valid and the Guarantors will be made aware.
Tanzania
92.
The Council of RCTG noted that TRA had implemented all the integration functionalities
and completed all the necessary tests between TANCIS and RCTG-MIS and further tests on the
integration were being carried out. The Council of RCTG also noted that TRA was facing the
following challenges:
a) The way integration of TRA was done varies with other Revenue Authorities;
b) There was need to modify and simplify the RCTG-MIS Graphical User interface i.e. add
drop down menu for selecting Company/ Principal to sort according to ID instead of
names in alphabetical order;
c) Late validations when the goods have been received in the warehouse;
d) Delays to activate bonds issued in Tanzania in ASYCUDA World; and
e) Delay caused by network failure.
Uganda
93.
The Council of RCTG noted that URA had implemented all the integration functionalities
and the integration process was done as follows:
a) Sensitized staff and clearing fraternity concerning the changes;
b) Piloted RCTG- ASYCUDA interface starting with transfers under SCT of containerized
rice in April 2015. This involved 4 companies;
c) More items for homogeneous goods have been added to the warehousing regime of
SCT (WT8) and RCTG Carnets are being automatically generated; and
d) The non-homogenous goods shall be handled under direct IM4 (home consumption);
94.
The Council of RCTG also noted the following observations made by the meeting
a) Un-user friendly interfaces of RCTG-MIS thus rigidity in making amendments, generation
of reports, searching etc;
b) Differing positions/procedures from other partner states that leaves our clients
inconvenienced and also breeds a lot of re-works to accommodate changes;
c) Budget constraints to conduct the trainings country wide and COMESA Secretariat
should provide both technical and financial support;
d) Delayed response from concerned COMESA experts in issue resolution and facilitation
of local IT experts. The bureaucracies and difference in working hours COMESA are
causing a lot of delay in service delivery; and
e) Ambiguity in the process regarding issuance of bond, additional bond amount, claim
management and responsibility centres in case of bond over draw.
Decisions
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
Page 22
95.
The Council of RCTG endorsed the following 2nd RCTG TWG Meeting
recommendations:
a) Revenue Authorities should own RCTG Scheme and incorporate it in their
transit training module;
b) Revenue Authorities should provide in-house trainings to the RCTG users
and COMESA Secretariat should provide training of trainers;
c) COMESA Secretariat should provide 24/7 operational contact who provide
system support;
d) COMESA Secretariat should create and maintain an online chat group for
frequent collaboration purposes;
e) COMESA Secretariat should draft a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between
Secretariat and Revenue Authorities and be presented to the next Council of
RCTG;
f) COMESA Secretariat should circulate a link of the enhanced RCTG-MIS by 23rd
September 2015 to Revenue Authorities in order for them to review the system
and submit their comments to the Secretariat within two weeks from the time
of receiving the link.
96.
The Council of RCTG also noted the following challenges faced in the integration
process:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
97.
KRA’s policy of not allowing apportioning of bond per truck/ load/container on nonhomogeneous goods which is the basis of issuing a Carnet;
IDES’ incapability to transmit instant messages to the Central server the bond therefore
leading to balances in different countries being at variance;
Integrations’ incapability to relate/map the TIN/PIN of one CFA in one country onto
another CFA in another country;
Implementation of standard integration framework functionalities at different times thus
inconveniencing other CFAs;
Lack of access by COMESA Secretariat to IDES on the Revenue Authorities LAN for
monitoring and troubleshooting purposes; and
Lack of standard guideline in the integration framework on how to process entries in Non
SCT.
The Council of RCTG further noted the following observations made by the meeting:
a) Treatment of Non-homogeneous goods:
i) RRA and TRA are able to issue and acquit Carnet per container;
ii) KRA issues Carnet per container but acquittal was done per consignment due to
the fact that apportioning the value of each container was not possible as goods
with different duty rates and value are mixed up in that container;
iii) Kenya Port Authority (KPA) does not allow partial release of non-homogeneous
consignment;
iv) RRA was able to provide packing list to KRA and would also engage KPA to
facilitate apportioning of the value of non-homogeneous goods; and
v) URA demands upfront payment and does not issue Carnet on non-homogenous
goods.
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
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b) Treatment of Homogeneous goods: all the Revenue Authorities were able to issue and
acquit Carnet per container;
c) Instant transmission of messages to the Central server takes 30seconds when
everything is okay (“during the happy path”) and takes long in other cases;
d) KRA enters in SIMBA list of TIN/PIN for the Clearing Agents issued by RRA and URA
but PIN for companies was limited to RCTG; and
e) Processing entries for goods destined to non-SCT countries: multiple entries are used
throughout the transit Corridor and the last SCT country notifies the country of
commencement once cargo exits their territory.
98.
In the discussion that followed the meeting was informed
the apportioning of bond values and thus it was possible
load/container on non-homogeneous goods. The meeting was
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and not Kenya Port Authority
partial release of non-homogeneous consignments.
that KRA does actually allow
to issue Carnet per truck/
further informed that it was
(KPA) which does not allow
Decisions
99.
The Council of RCTG endorsed the following 2nd RCTG- TWG Meeting
recommendations:
a) Treatment of non- homogeneous goods
i)
All Revenue Authorities should apportion value and issue and acquit
Carnet per container.
ii) KRA should allow apportioning of value and issue and acquit Carnet per
container on the basis of packing list provided by other Revenue
Authorities and engage KPA to facilitate the process.
iii) URA should resolve the issue of treatment of non- homogeneous goods
using Carnet in the new version of ASYCUDA World.
b) Mapping/relating TIN/PIN: each country shall do the mapping of TII/PIN of one
Agent in one country onto another Agent in another country using unique ID from
the RCTG-MIS.
c) Access to the NCS by the Secretariat: the Secretariat should define the data
required and request Revenue Authorities to include in the data which is
exchanged with the RCTG-MIS.
d) Processing entries for goods destined to non SCT countries: one entry shall be
used throughout the transit Corridor and the last SCT country shall notify the
country of commencement upon cargo exiting their territory until integration of
the systems of the non-SCT with SCT countries can be realized.
B. Draft User Requirements Specifications (URS) for the Improved and Standardized
Integrated System (RCTG-MIS and NCS)
100. The Council of RCTG noted that the 1st TWG meeting held from 15th to 19th December
2014 in Nairobi, Kenya recommended that the RCTG operations shall be done in either system:
RCTG-MIS or National Customs System (NCS) which shall update the other via the
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
Page 24
Intermediary Data Exchange System (IDES) which shall be deployed within the national
Revenue Authority LAN.
Decision
101. The Council of RCTG noted that the 2nd Meeting of RCTG TWG adopted the User
Requirements Specifications (URS) for the Improved and Standardized Integrated System
(RCTG-MIS and NCS).
C. Proposed Work Plan for the implementation of the Improved and Standardized
Integrated System (RCTG-MIS and NCS)
102. The Council of RCTG noted that the proposed work plan would guide the countries to
improve their integrated systems. The Council of RCTG further noted that the 2nd RCTG TWG
Meeting adopted a Work Plan for the implementation of the Improved and Standardized
Integrated System (RCTG-MIS and NCS).
Managers’ Report on the Operations of the Reinsurance Pool of the RCTG Scheme
(Agenda Item 8)
103. A representative of the Pool Managers presented document No. CS/C-CRCTG/IX/6:
Managers’ Report on the operations of the Reinsurance Pool of the RCTG Scheme. On the
activities carried out by the Pool, the meeting was informed as follows:
a) Inward Business
104. Eighteen (18) Primary Sureties from Kenya and Uganda had signed the inward Quota
Share Treaty with the Pool for the year 2014 while the number rose to (24) in the year 2015, as
Primary Sureties from Rwanda also signed it.
b) Outward Protection Contract
105. The Pool Manager arranged outward Excess of Loss protection for inward liabilities
emanating from their 80% acceptance for 2014 and 2015 as follows:
c) Excess of Loss 2014
EGNPI=US$. 500,000: Figs in US$
Layer
Cover
First Layer
600,000
Second Layer
880,000
Deductible
120,000
720,000
Rate
4.95%
4.50%
M&DPs
16,849
15,317
d) Excess of Loss 2015
EGNPI=US$. 500,000: Figs in US$
Layer
Cover
First Layer
600,000
Second Layer
880,000
Deductible
120,000
720,000
Rate
12.50%
14.00%
M&DPs
62,250.00
63,000.00
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
Page 25
e) The cover for 2014 and 2015 were placed with various Reinsurers in and out of the
region.
106. Regarding the Inward Quota Share Treaty for 2015, the meeting was informed that the
following changes were made:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
Rate: Minimum premium rate was reduced from 0.75% 0.50%;
Geographical Scope: the Treaty was extended to cover DR Congo, South Sudan
and Zambia;
Cover Limit: the limit was expanded to a maximum of US$2million any
General/Particular Bond but can be expanded to US$10million per any one
General/Particular Bond per year;
Collateral/Security Requirements: the collateral requirements were reduced from
3 times value of bond to 1.5 times bond value;
107. The Pool Manager submitted its request for the payment of the Management fees for the
period it had been running the Pool as follows:
i)
ii)
iii)
US$50,000 for the year 2012
10% of the written premium subject to a minimum of US$ 55,000 for the year
2013; and
10% of the written premium subject to a minimum of US$ 60,500 for the year
2014.
108. The meeting was informed on the need for the Account of RCTG Pool for the period
ended 31st December 2015 be audited. The Pool Managers recommended that DelIoite and
Touché, who were the current Auditors of the COMESA Yellow Card Reinsurance, be appointed
and that the COMESA Secretariat and the Pool Managers proceed with the negotiation of Audit
fees and appointment.
109.
In the discussion that followed the meeting expressed concern on the following issues;
a) The increase on the rates for outward Excess of Loss protection from 4.95% and 4.50%
for the First and Second Layers respectively for the period 2014, to 12.50% and 14.00%
for the First and Second Layers respectively for the period 2015 ( from US$32.166 to
US$119,250) was exorbitant ;
b) The Pool Managers request” for payment of Management fee of US$50,000 for the year
2012 when the Reinsurance Pool was not operational and had no income and thus
would be unreasonable and impractical to accept the request;
c) Given that the Pool had just started operations and generated very limited income it
would be difficult for the Pool to meet high percentage rate of management fees and
high minimum amount payable.
Decisions
110. After a lengthy discussion and taking into account the objective financial situation
of the Pool, the Council of RCTG decided that:
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
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a) The Pool Managers to engage Kenya-Re: the leaders for the outward
Excess of Loss Treaty to review their rates down wards to acceptable
level;
b) The Pool Manager demand for payment of Management fee for the
period 2012 should be waived, as decided earlier by the Council of
RCTG; and
c) Zep-Re, as a COMESA Institution should support the development of
RCTG CARNET and reduce their management fee from 10% to 7.5% and
the minimum amount payable to US$25,000 until the Pool establishes
sufficient funds to meet its commitment.
Decisions
111. The Council of RCTG agreed that given the limited transactions or Accounts of the
Reinsurance Pool and taking into account the range of audit fees suggested during the
meeting, namely between $3,000 to $5000, the COMESA Secretariat and Pool Manager
should negotiate on the Audit fee with Delloite and Touch on accommodation basis and
process the appointment.
RCTG Reinsurance Pool Financial Highlights as at 30th September 2015 (Agenda Item 9)
112. A representative of the Pool Managers presented a report on the Reinsurance Pool
Financial Highlights as at 30th September 2015. In his presentation, he informed the meeting
that the Pool recorded a gross premium income of US$ 838,691 during the period ended 30th
September 2015 which represents 4th Quarter 2013 up to 2nd Quarter 2015. The meeting noted
the financial highlights as shown below:
Sept 2015
US$
Gross premium
income
Reserve fund
838,691
Total assets
433,933
Short-term
investments &
cash
113.
344,064
99,919
The meeting was informed that the distribution of income was as follows:
National Surety
Kenya
Rwanda
Uganda
Total
TOTAL (US$)
218,033
5,856
614,802
838,691
114. The meeting was also informed that the volume of investments during the period ended
30th September 2015 was US$ 98,644 and the investment portfolio spread was as follows:
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
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Institution
Kenya Commercial Bank
(KES)
Kenya Commercial Bank
(USD)
Income
September
2015
US$
Fixed deposits
18,664
Fixed deposits
80,000
________
98,664
Total
115. The meeting was further informed that the interest realised on the above deposit was
US$ 836.00
Decision
116. In the discussion that followed the meeting expressed concern on the low level of
investment returns and advised the Pool Manager to explore for better investment
options
The Improved RCTG-MIS (Agenda Item 10)
117. A representative of the COMESA Secretariat presented document No. CS/CRCTG/IX/9: The Improved Regional Customs Transit Guarantee Management Information
System (RCTG-MIS). He recalled that the 8th Meeting of the Management Committee of the
RCTG held from 29th to 30th April 2015, in Kigali, Rwanda, had recommended that the
Improved RCTG-MIS should be rolled out without further delay.
118. The Council of RCTG was informed that the Second Meeting of the Regional Customs
Transit Guarantee (RCTG) Scheme Technical Working Group (TWG) of IT Experts that was
held from 15th to 17th September 2015, in Lusaka, Zambia had reviewed the improved RCTGMIS system.
119. The meeting was further informed that the improved RCTG-MIS would be rolled out on
1st November 2015.
120.
In the discussion that ensued, the following observations were made
a) The system should include a feature to allow Clearing and Forwarding Agents to
submit their application for Bond and the Surety to process the application
b) To minimize the issue of forgery the system should include a feature where Clearing
and Forwarding Agents and Surety should confirm the validity of the documents
issued and transitions processed
c) Customs Administration should manage their bonds on transaction basis to avoid the
experience of negative balance.
Decisions
121. The Council of RCTG noted the improved RCTG-MIS system and the
demonstration made and decided that:
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
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a) The enhance RCTG-MIS system should include on line bond application and
confirmation of validation of documents issued and transaction processed,
b) The Secretariat should finalize incorporating views and comments from Revenue
Authorities on the improved RCTG-MIS by 21st October 2015 at the latest;
c) Revenue Authorities of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania should conduct
training of users on the improved RCTG-MIS by 29th October 2015 at the latest;
d) The Secretariat should conduct data migration from the old RCTG-MIS to the
improved RCTG-MIS by 31st October 2015; and
e) The Secretariat should deactivate the old RCTG-MIS on 1st December 015.
Report on the interface of the RCTG-MIS with ASYCUDA World, TANCIS and SIMBA
(Agenda Item 11)
122. A representative of the COMESA Secretariat presented document No. CS/CRCTG/IXI/11: Report on the interface of the RCTG-MIS with ASYCUDA World, TANCIS and
SIMBA. He recalled that the 8th Meeting of the Management Committee of the RCTG held from
29th to 30th April 2015, in Kigali, Rwanda, had recommended that the interface of the RCTGMIS be rolled out by 31st May 2015.
123. Regarding the implementation of the integration framework, the Council of RCTG was
informed of the status of the piloting activities conducted by the Revenue Authorities. The
Council of RCTG was also informed of the challenges in the implementation of the integration
framework.
124. In the discussion that followed the meeting underscored the need to review the
importance and implication of having a Service Level Agreement between COMESA and
Revenue Authorities.
Decisions
125.
The Council of RCTG decided that:
a)
Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania Revenue Authorities should go live with
integration framework by 19th October 2015 at the latest; and
b)
Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania Revenue Authorities should implement the
mapping of TIN/PIN of one Agent in one country onto another Agent in
another country using unique ID by 26th October 2015 at the latest; and
c)
COMESA Secretariat should consult key stakeholders on the need and
importance of having a Service Level Agreement between COMESA and
Revenue Authorities and report its findings to the next meeting of the
Management Committee
Election of a new Management Committee of the RCTG Scheme (Agenda Item 12)
126. A representative of the COMESA Secretariat presented document No CS/CRCTG/IX/14: Election of a new Management Committee of the RCTG Scheme. In considering
the report, the Council of RCTG was informed that the provisions of the Inter-Surety Agreement
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
Page 29
(on the establishment of the Council of Surety), Article 4 on the election (of the 1st, 3rd and 7th
Meetings of the Council of RCTG on broadening) the number of members of the MC, the rate
of sitting allowance and the terms of service and participation of Key Stakeholders as nonvoting members.
Decisions
127. The Council of RCTG elected the following members to serve in the Management
Committee of the RCTG for the next two years, from January 2016 to December 2017:
a) The Customs Administrations, National Sureties and the National Clearing and
Forwarding Associations of Burundi, DR Congo and Tanzania;
b) The current Chairperson of the Council of RCTG; and
c) The following stakeholders as ex-officio members of the Committee:
i) RCTG Pool Managers- ZEP-RE; and
ii) COMESA Secretariat.
128. The meeting further decided that the following Regional Clearing and Forwarding
Associations be invited to participate as observers:
i)
ii)
Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Association (FEAFFA); and
Federation of Clearing and Forwarding Associations of Southern Africa
(FCFASA).
129. In the discussion that followed, the delegate of Kenya requested the meeting that the
participation of FEAFFA and FCFASA as standing Management Committee members
should be reconsidered.
RCTG Annual Work Programme for 2015-16 (Agenda Item 13)
130. A representative of the COMESA Secretariat presented document No CS/CRCTG/IX/13: RCTG Annual Work Programme 2015-16. The meeting was informed that the
main focus of the 2015/16 RCTG Annual Work Programme, among others, were as follows:
a) To strengthen the operations of the RCTG CARNET in the Northern, Central and Dar
Corridors;
b) To roll out the RCTG CARNET in the North-South and Djibouti –Ethiopia-Sudan route;
c) To Finalize the Review of the Operations Manual and RCTG Instruments and publish
and circulate them to Member States;
d) To enhance the RCTG-MIS and its interface with the Customs IT systems.
131. The meeting was also informed that successful implementation of the RCTG scheme
heavily depends on Customs Administrations commitment to fully integrate the RCTG-MIS with
the National Customs IT systems and the full participation of the Primary and National Sureties
particularly on the submission of returns and payment of premium cessions to the RCTG Pool.
This, among others entails:
a) Strengthening the capacity of the Customs Focal Point/Officers to oversee the
implementation of the scheme in the country.
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
Page 30
b) Build the capacity of the National Sureties to oversee the operations of the RCTG in their
countries.
c) Incorporating the RCTG CARNET in Customs operational procedure.
d) Roll out the enhance RCTG-MIS System.
e) Enhance the Integration of the RCTG-MIS with the National Customs Systems, Namely:
ASYCUDA, SIMBA, TANCIS and others.
f) Build Capacity of Clearing and Forwarding Agents, particularly, Small and Medium
Agents (SME’s) and other stakeholders to ensure their full involvement in the
implementation of the scheme; and
g) Training Customs officials, Clearing Agents and Sureties.
132. In the discussion that followed the meeting underscored the need to review the
Promotion material item in the budget taking into account the need to involve National Sureties,
identify targets, budget limitations and mode of promotion.
Decision
133. The Council of RCTG Adopted RCTG Annual Work Programme for 2015/2016
attached as Annex II to this report with amendments.
Revised Proposal on Self-financing Arrangement for the RCTG Scheme
(Agenda Item 14)
134. The Secretariat presented document CS/C-CRCTG//IX/8: Revised Proposal on Self–
financing for the RCTG Scheme. The meeting was informed that the RCTG had been funded
by Cooperating Partners, particularly, USAID and EU, since 2002 to date. The meeting was
also informed that since the RCTG Carnet operations had successfully taken off and
stakeholders were reaping the benefits henceforth donor dependency should cease and the
step towards self-sustaining should start.
135. The meeting was further informed that scheme was successfully operational in
Northern, Central and Dar Corridor countries and encouraged by the progress made, the
scheme reached a position to sustain itself and hence the Council of RCTG should adopt a
self-financing mechanism.
136. The Council of RCTG was informed that the revised proposed self–financing
mechanism was as follows:
a) The Administration fee of 10% be increased to 15%. This rate would be revised from
time to time on the basis of financial performance of the RCTG CARNET;
b) The 25% commission rate payable to the Primary Sureties be reduced to 20%. This is
because Primary Sureties should contribute to the annual budget of the Council of
RCTG. Thus the Management fee of 15% shall be a shared fee of both, the Reinsurance
Pool and the Primary Surety members;
c) The 15% Administration fee should include 2.5% allocation to cover the operational
expenses of the National Sureties. The 2.5% allocation shall be shared equally among
the National Sureties who are fully operational; and
d) The 15% should be applied on the 80% funds received by the Pool before commission
rate for Primary Sureties is deducted.
137.
In the discussion that ensued, the following observations were made:
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
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a) The meeting noted the challenges face by the Secretariat in getting payments of
contributions to the budget of the Council of RCTG from National Sureties and the
limited leverage that the National Sureties has on the Primary Sureties;
b) The variance in commission rates in different market payable to Agents and Brokers
on RCTG Bonds and the need to standardized the rate;
c) The importance of the Member States participating in the operations of the RCTG
Scheme to take the lead and contribute to the annual budget of the Council of RCTG
; and
d) National Sureties who have arrears of budget contribution should demonstrate their
Commitment to the RCTG scheme, equally to those who have met their obligations and
clear their arrears
Decisions
138.
After a lengthy discussion, the Council of RCTG decided as follows:
Commission rate payable on the RCTG Business
a) The maximum Commission rate payable on the RCTG Bond business by Primary
Sureties to brokers and Agent should be 15% and this should be communicated
to all National Sureties, Primary Sureties and concerned authorities in the Member
States that are participating in the operations of the RCTG Scheme;
b) The Commission rate payable by the RCTG Reinsurance Pool to the Primary
Surety should be reduced from 25% to 20% ;and
c) The 20% Commission rate payable by the Pool to the Primary Surety should be
applied on the total 80% premium ceded to the Pool.
Administration fee allocated to Secretariat of the Council of RCTG
d) Administration fee to be allocated from the Reinsurance Pool remittance to the
Budget of the Secretariat of Council of RCTG be increased from 10% to 15%;
e) The 15% Administration fee includes an allocation of 2.5% to cover the operational
expenses of National Sureties and the Pool shall pay the Secretariat and National
Sureties;
f) The 2.5% allocation for National Sureties should be shared in proportion to the
National Sureties share of premium ceded to the Pool;
g) The Administration fees allocated to the Secretariat and the National Sureties
should be effected every six months and that the Pool Managers should submit
the first payment to the Management Committee ( MC) meeting usually held in
May and the Second payment to the Annual Meeting of the Council of RCTG
usually held in September or October for consideration and approval of the
payments; and
h) Item (a) to (g) be implemented with effect from 1st January 2016.
139. The Council of RCTG further decided that National Sureties who have arrears of
budget contribution to the COMESA Secretariat should pay their arrears without further
delays.
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
Page 32
Date and Venue of the next meeting (Agenda Item 15)
140. DR Congo offered to host the 10th Meeting of the Council of RCTG. The Council of
RCTG accepted the offer with appreciation. The COMESA Secretariat informed the meeting
that in consultation with DR Congo, it would advise the actual dates and venue of the meeting.
Any other Business (Agenda Item 16)
141.
Under this agenda item the following items were raised:
a) The delegate of Djibouti informed the meeting that on the sideline of the meeting
that they had consultation with the delegate of the National Surety of Ethiopia on
the issue of RCTG premium and claim sharing and that they had agreed to hold
a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in November 2015 to discuss and resolve
the issues;
b) The delegate of Dar-Es Salaam Corridor Committee (DCC) thanked the
Secretariat for inviting them to this meeting and informed the meeting that this
was the first time DCC was attending COMESA and RCTG meeting. He also
informed the meeting that DCC was looking forward to working with COMESA
as the two Institutions have a common interest on trade facilitations Instruments
particularly on the RCTG Scheme; and
c) The delegate of Central Corridor Transit and Transport Facilitation Agency
thanked the Secretariat for inviting them to this meeting and commended the
progress made on the operations of the scheme. He requested Burundi and DR
Congo to expedite the roll out of the Scheme in order for the RCTG CARNET to
be operational in the whole of the Central Corridor.
Adoption of the Report and Closure of the Meeting (Agenda Item 17)
142. The meeting considered the draft report paragraph by paragraph and adopted the report
after making some amendments.
143. At the closure of the meeting the delegate of Malawi, Mr. Leckson Kachala, Deputy
Commissioner of Customs and Exercise, Malawi Revenue Authority, thanked the
Government and people of Uganda for the warm hospitality extended to the delegates and
the National Insurance Corporation of Uganda for hosting the meeting and for the excellent
facilities offered to the meeting. Mr. Kachala praised the Chairperson for the able manner in
which he had guided the deliberations of the meeting. Finally he thanked all the delegates
for their contributions and the Secretariat, and all those behind the scenes who had
contributed to the success of the meeting.
144. In closing the meeting, the Chairperson thanked all the delegates for their contributions
and wished them safe journey to their home countries.
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
Page 33
Annex I
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
BURUNDI
Mr. Joel Ngendabanka, Head of Marine Underwriting Unit, SOCABU, PB 2440, Bujumbura, Tel: +257 22
209 022, +257 714 353 56, Email: socabu@socabu.bingloje@yahoo.fr ; joel.ngendabanka@socabuassurances.com
Ms. Ancilla Nteturuye, Acting Head of Customs Programmes and Monitoring, Office
Burundais des Recettes, P. O Box 3465, Bujumbura II, Tel: +257 777 626 60, Email:
anteturuye@yahoo.fr
Mr. Cishahayo Melance, Head of Marine Department, SOCABU, BP 2440, Bujumbura, Tel: +257 777 530
63, Fax: +257 22 226 803, Email: cishahayom@yahoo.fr;melance.cishayo@socabu-assurances.com;
cishahayom@yahoo.fr
CONGO D R
Mr. Hatta Kafota, Directeur Provincial du Katanga, Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises Ministère
des Finances, B.P 8248, Kini, Tel: +243 999942030/+243 816240000, Email: hatta_eric@yahoo.fr
Mr.Guy Kimenyembo, Président Comité transitaires, FEC/Katanga, Lubumbashi, Tel: +243 997 015 137,
Email: guykimenyembo@yahoo.fr
Mr Bushiri Ramazani, Directeur de Région Sud/Est, Société Nationale d’Assurances (SONAS), Mobile :
+243 999932272, E-mail : bushirir@yahoo.fr, bushiriramazani@gmail.com
DJIBOUTI
Mr. Mohamed Safi Seyadou, Insurance Supervisor, Ministry of Finance, Tel: +253 21 352 801, Email:
medsafi2000@yahoo.fr
Mr. Aden Saleh Oma, Commission of Justice, Ministry of Finance, BP 4352, Email: adnsalah@yahoo.fr
Mr. David Boucher, Sales Manager GXA Assurance, Tel: +253 778 606 636, Email: boucherd@intenet.dj
ETHIOPIA
Mr. Yewondwossen Etaffa, Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Insurance Corporation, Addis Ababa, 2545,
Tel: +251 911 200 587, Email: eic.md@ethionet.et
KENYA
Ms Mercy Waguthi Njuguna, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Kenya Revenue Authority, Box 48240-00100,
Nairobi, Tel: +254 726 657 722, Email: mercy.njuguna@kra.go.ke
Mr. Linus Onditi Kowiti, Assistant Manager, Kenya RE National Surety of Kenya, Box 30271-00100,
Nairobi, Tel: +254 722 807 828, Email: kowiti@kenyare.co.ke
Mr. PrabhulalJayantilal Shah, Vice National Chairman, P. O Box 99611-80107, Mombasa, Tel: + 254 722
562 320, Email: md@marfcol.com
Mr. Birian Nungo Akwir, Association
birian.akwir@akinsurance.com
of
Kenya
Insurance,
Box
45338,
Nairobi,
Email:
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
Page 34
MALAWI
Mr. Leckson Kachala, Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Exercise, Malawi Revenue Authority P/B
247 Blantyre, Tel: +265 888 950 012, Fax: +265 1 822 265, Email: lkachala@mra.mw;
Mr. Grant Mwenechanya, President, Insurance Association of Malawi, P. O Box 442 Blantyre, Tel: +265
999 846 213, Email: gmwenechanya@realinsurance.co.mw
RWANDA
Mr. Muvunangoma Abdoul, Vice President, ADR, Tel: 250 788 501 220, Email: muvunangoma@yahoo.fr
Mr. Bamiika Herbert, ‘Director, SOWARWA Insurance, Box 1035, Kigali, Tel: +250 788 533 686, Email:
herbert.bamiika@sowarwa.co.rw
Mr. Nizeyimana Christian, Head of Operations Policy and Business Development, Rwanda Revenue
Authority, Box 718, Kigali, Tel: +250 788 490 568, Email: Christian.nizeyimana@rra.gov.rw
SUDAN
Mr. Mohamed Hamed El Hussien, Sudan Customs, Tel: +249 991 982 211; +249 123 909 531, Email:
awab-hamed@hotmail.com
TANZANIA
Mrs. Immaculate Jerome Morro, PTO, COMESA Yellow Card and RCTG Coordinator, NIC, Tanzania, P.
O Box 9264, Dar esslaam, Tel: +255 784 405 511, Fax: +255 22 211 3403, Email:
immaculate.morro@nictanzania.co.tz
Mr. Sam Kamanga, Managing Director, NIC, Tanzania, P. O Box 9264, Dar-Es Salaam, Tel: +255 715
761 167, Email: sam.kamanga@nictanzania.co.tz
Mr. Jimmy Medard Mrosso, Customs Officer, Tanzania Revenue Authority, Box 9053, Dar-Es Salaam,
Email: jmrosso@tra.go.tz
Ms. Hollo Kazi, Insurance Officer, P.O Box 9264, Dar-Es Salaam, Tel: +255 767 581638,
hollo.kazi@nictanzania.co.tz
Mr. Solomon A. Kasa, Secretary General, Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association, P. O Box 7900 Dar
Es Salaam, Tel: +255 713 306, 460, Fax: +255 22 212 8520, Emai: solonkasa@yahoo.com
Mr. Ntimba N. Bunny, Manager, Non Motor, NIC of (T) LTD, Box 9264, Kampala, Tel:+255 784 910 520,
Email: ntimba.bunny@nictanzania.co.tz
UGANDA
Mr. Bayo Folayan, Managing Director, NIC General Insurance Company, Box 714, Tel: +256 772 728
555, Email: mdnic@nic.co.ug
Ms. Miriam Magala, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Insurers Association, Box 8912, Kampala, Tel: +256
772593779, Email: m.magala@via.co.ug
Mrs. Florence Obore, Chief Technical Officer, NIC General Insurance Company, Box 7243, Kampala, Tel:
+256 752 302 022; Fax: +256 414 259 925, Email: fobore@nic.co.ug; oboref@yahoo.co.uk
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
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Mr. Kudakwashe Jeche, Underwriting Manager, Box 7658, Kampala, Tel: +256 751 459 642, Email:
jkudakwashe@lion.co.ug
Mr. Lino Criel Icila, Secretary General, UCIFA Box 22738, Kampala, Tel; +256 772 409 219, Email:
linoug@yahoo.com; ucifa_ug@yahoo.com
Mr. Kigozi John, Accident and Fire Manager, Statewide Insurance Company, limited,
Box 9393, Kampala, Tel: +256 414 345 996, Fax: +256 414 343 403, Email: jikigozi@sureico.co.ug
Mr. Francis Rumooma, NIC Box 7134, Kampala Tel:+256 752 958 479, Email: frumooma@nic.co.ug
Mrs. Matovu B. Betty, NIC Box 7134, Kampala Tel:+256 712 848 369, Email: bmatovu@nic.co.ug;
btmatovu@yahoo.com;
Mr. Nyakahuma Alexander, Supervisor Transit Monitoring Unit, URA, Box 7279, Kampala, +256 772 463
515, Email: anyakahuma@ura.go.ug
Ms. Rachel Kabala, Manager Legal Compliance, Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda, Box 22855,
Kampala, Tel: +256 414 346 712, Email: ira@ira.go.ug
Mr. Isooba Peter, Underwriting Manager, Box 70149, Kampala, Tel: +256 414 349 659, Fax: +256 414
349 662, Email: underwriting@phoenixuganda.com
Mr. Nicholas Kanabahita, Manager, Legal and Bonds, Uganda Revenue Authority, Box 7279, Kampala,
Tel: +256 772 499 799, Email: nkanabahita@ura.go.ug
Mr. Masereje Akaziah, Senior Commercial Officer, Trade, Industry and Crops, ox 7103, Kampala, Tel:
+256 772 591 875, Email: maserejeakaziah@gmail.com
Mr. Kaozi Fredrick, Senior Commercial Officer, Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Box 7103, Kampala,
Tel: +256 772 559 136; Email; kasofre@yahoo.com
Ms. Nancy Ashaba, Senior Underwriter, APA Insurance, (U) LTD, Box 7651, Kampala, Tel: +256 752 613
425, Email: nancy.ashaba@apainsurance.org
Mr. Paul kabuye, Assistant Manager, UAD Insurance, Box 7185, Kampala, Tel; +256 414 332 724; +256
772 670 494, Email: kabuye@uap-group.com; Pkabuye@uapinsurance.ca.ug
Ms. Harriet Kakai, Goldstar Insurance Co. Ltd, Box 7781, Kampala, Tel; +256 414 250 11; +256 772 558
585, Email: marine@goldstarinsurance.com ; kakai2002hat@yahoo.com
Ms. Anna Kebba, Manager, Underwriting, Alliance Arica General insurance Ltd, Box 7308, KLA, Tel: +256
414 252 451; +256 392 177 281, Email: info@allianeug.com
Mr. Okelo David, IT Expert, NIC General Insurance Company, Box 7134, Tel: +256 704 358 681, Email:
dokello@nic.co.ug
Mr. Kassim Omar, National Chairman, Clearing and Forwarding Association, Box 9431, Kampala, +256
772 670 370; +256 701 670 370, Fax: +256 312 272 963, Email: alliancefr@yahoo.com
Ms. Nakayiwa Cissy, RCTG Local IT Expert (Software Engineer) Uganda Revenue Authority Box 7279,
Kampala, Tel: + 256 717 442 779, Email: cnakayiwa@ura.go.ug
Mr. Nakaweesi Halima, Senior underwriter, Excel insurance Company Ltd, Box 7134, Kampala, Tel: +256
712 610 6650, Email; naka.halima@gmail.com
CS/C-RCTG/IX/13
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Mr. Phillis Mpumwire, Intern, Clearing and Forwarding Association, Box 2431, Kampala, Tel; +256 774
323 009, Fax: +256 312 272 963, Email: phillis.pm@yahoo.com
Mr. Byenkya Jolly James, GM Operation ATACO Freight Services Ltd, Box 4992, Kampala, Tel: +256772
200 209; +256 702 2002206; Email: jollybyenkya@gmail.com
ZEP-RE
Mr. Kenneth Obongo Oballa, Training Manager, (PTA Reinsurance Company), P. O Box 42769-00100,
Nairobi, Tel: +254 20 497 300 00, Fax: + 254 20 273 8444, Email: koballa@zepre.com; mail@zep-re.com
ZIMBABWE
Mr. Cletus M. Chitambira, Executive Officer, Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, Box 4174, Harare, 4
JosiaTongogara Avenue, Tel: + 263 04 708 031 12, Email: Email: cmchitambira@icz.co.wz
Mr. Lovemore Madavo, Chairman RCTG Pool, Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, censure 39 Sam Nujoma,
ST Harare, Tel: +263 4 706 101/4, Email: madovo@credsure.co.zw
OBSERVERS
ZAMBIA
Mr. Emmanuel M Mutale, Managing Director, ZAFFA-FCFASA Box 810 160 KapiriMposhi, Tel: +260 211
230 780, Cell: +260 979 867 046, emmagefreightzm@yahoo.com; zaffa2012@yahoo.com
DAR CORRIDOR
Mr. Peter Masi, Executive Director, Dar Corridor Secretariat, Box 12569 Dar Es Salaam, Email: :
pmasi@darcorridor.org
Mr. Moses Mfune, Customs and Trade Facilitation Specialist, Box 12569 Dar Es Salaam, Tel; +255 781
514 98, Email: mmfune@darcorridor.org;mmfune@yahoo.com
CCTTFA
Mr. Ngoga Frank, Customs Specialist, Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency
Box 2372, Dar-Es Salam, Email: frankn@cenralcorridor-ttfa.org; ngogaf@gmail.com
INTERPRETERS
Mrs Fatoumata Toure, Interpreter, Tel: +256 772 473 995, Email: lolwe2212@gmail.com
Mr. Christopher Lutaaya, Freelance Conference Freelance Interpreter, Box 10622, Kampala, Uganda,
Tel: +256 772 435 890, +256 703 435 890, Email: clutaaya@yahoo.com; clutaaya@hotmail.com
TRANSLATOR
Henry Aloysius Muwanga, Conference Interpreter/Translator (AIIC) P. O. Box 5610 Kampala, Tel: +256
772415591 / +256 702444848 / +256 772631105Email: henry_ug@yahoo.fr;h.muwanga@aiic.net
CS/CRCTG/IX/13
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COMESA Secretariat, Ben Bella Road, P O Box 30051, Lusaka, Tel: +260 211 229725-30, Fax: +260
211 225107, Email: secgen@comesa.int
Mr. Berhane Giday, Chief Programme Officer, Yellow Card/Regional Customs Transit Guarantee
(YC/RCTG) Email: bgiday@comesa.int
Mr. Chris Hakiza, Senior Customs Expert, Email: chakiza@comesa.int
Mr. Musa Tondolo, Information Technology Expert, Email: mtondolo@comesa.int
Mr. Aubry Musonda, Finance Officer, Email: amusonda@comesa.int
Ms. Lydia Mulenga, Administrative Assistant, Email: lmulenga@comesa.int