Facilitating Trade:
Improving Customs Risk Management Systems
In the OIC Member States
143
 Inconsistent „fact“ base for decisions create multiple versions of the truth.
The following concepts are IT supportive elements that will enhance the CRM performances and
the overall customs operations:
Data Layers Integration; Customs ICT systems are built on heterogeneous, distributed data
architecture. CRM must manage the data from multiple sources that is impossible without
proper data layers integration;
Data Warehouse should support the systematic process of data integration from multiple
sources. Without DWH, the CRM and the other LE Units/Departments will not have access to the
analysis, and there would be no timely dissemination of information that describes trends,
problems, patterns, and potential risks;
Business intelligence; many factors influence the performance of the CRM and the CA in
general. The decisions that the CA management makes every day throughout the organization
from the strategic, tactical and operational level are a critical factor. The decision should be
based on the accurate and timely information.
Data mining: The above mentioned various data sources allow the CRM to be effective and
declarations to be channeled to different customs control. Unfortunately, the CRM exploits only
a small part of the information available. Data mining is the proper tool that will provide the
CRM with advanced analytical capabilities.
6.2 OIC MS CRM Policy Options
This chapter provides a summary of the findings from the cross-country assessment showing
the different level of implementation of CRM in OIC Member Countries. The comparative
analysis of the findings from the OIC Survey combined with OIC and non-OIC cases, global trends
and best practices serve as a base for recommendations, including those for technical
cooperation and peer learning. The recommendations focus on the introduction of new tools
and IT systems – Integrated Risk Management, Data Warehouse, Business Intelligence and data
mining that can assist in advanced CRM. It furthermore looks into challenges faced by the CRM
to ensure implementation progress, sustainability and a significant and continued trade
facilitation impact, and presents CRM policy options for overcoming these challenges.
Implementation of CRM requires a long-term commitment from customs administrations and
continuous cooperation between other national and international agencies and organizations.
This process should not be understood as a project that will be implemented and finished. It
requires continuous improvement and alignment with many law enforcement challenges on the
one hand, and with TF on the other. The Policy Options laid ahead of OIC Member States are
shown i
Table 39: OIC Member States’ CRM Policy Options
Dimension Policy Options
Legal, strategic and other
mechanism supporting CRM
system
 Align Legislation with International Conventions,
Standards, and Recommendations;
 Continuous improvement of Customs-to-Business
Cooperation to facilitate legal trade;
 Relationship between Customs and other Border
Management Agencies;