FACILITATING INTRA-OIC TRADE:
Improving the Efficiency of the Customs Procedures in the OIC Member States
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assessment and reform process will encourage these institutions to take
necessary actions for the implementation of the reforms.
 Informing the Private Sector and Publishing the Information: The trading
community who are the beneficiaries of the customs services shall be informed
in a timely manner on the new procedures brought by the reform. Training
courses, meetings and sensitizing seminars shall be organized in cooperation
with the business associations and chambers before such reforms enter into
force. These activities shall continue if it deems necessary during the
implementation phase.
Publication of the relevant information such as laws, decrees, tariffs, customs
procedures, fees and charges, working hours and announcements is essential in
reducing the clearance times. Publication of such information through internet
will be more effective. It is observed that, most of the internet sites of the
Customs Administrations are not used effectively. In the short run, the Customs
Administrations may check successful webpage applications. The list of internet
sites of the Customs Administrations is illustrated in Appendix Table 1. Some of
the Member States have established call centers to respond the inquiries of the
traders. Member States who did not do so may also establish such enquiry
centers. Previous experiences show that, improving the content of the web page
of a Customs Administration does not require too much financing.
 Institutional Arrangements: Implementation of some modern customs clearance
techniques require dedicated expert departments or units within the customs
administrations. For example Post Clearance Audit, Risk Management, ICT
shall be carried out by special departments or units. Moreover, the functions of
the Customs Administrations shall also be reviewed and improved in line with
the reform. Country experiences and expertise of International Institutions e.g.
WCO may be very helpful in designing the institutional structure and new role
of the Customs Administration.
 Human Resources Management: Customs administrations require skilled labor
for implementing the modern customs clearance procedures. Previous studies
indicate that, Customs administrations may train the existing staff or employ
new skilled staff. Training can be conducted through various forms. However,
some of the skills are not easy to be learned through short term courses. Hiring
high quality staff shall be preferred for some units e.g. ICT, auditing.