6.0 Enhance the quality of Customs to Business dialogue through improved information flo ws (KRA 2) 6.1 Desired outcome: Information of the regional and international agreements, standards and conventions relating to customs are available at national and regional level. This increases civil and private sector awareness of important agreements and it equips the private sector to play an important watchdog function. Because the private sector is more aware of the customs system and its relation to trade it finds it easier to contribute to identify both customs problems and to support effective implementation. Whenever SADC Customs Unit undertakes any new initiative the private sector is consulted. 6.2 The main activities are discussed under the next headings. 6.2.1 Improve availability of information of Customs Modernisation and Agreements a) Develop information materials that will assist the private sector to understand customs reforms and regional commitments and its relation to regional integration and trade promotion. Supporting documentation from the WCO and other relevant organisations are made available via SADC Customs Unit website, and simplified if needed. b) Provide contact details of national formal customs-to-business fora on the SADC webpage. Each Customs Administration must make available the contact details (public and private representatives) of their national formal dialogue platforms and channels to the SADC Customs Programme. The information should be updated at least once per year. c) Provide sensitization and capacity building to national stakeholders on trade facilitation and customs issues, SADC Rules of Origin, NTBs Monitoring Mechanism, etc. d) Disseminate timely (in advance if required) and updated information to interested parties. The availability of information on Customs matters to interested persons is one of the key elements of trade facilitation. The Revised Kyoto Convention stipulates that the Customs must ensure that relevant information of general application is readily made available to all interested parties. The interested parties are trade and industry groups, forwarding agents, freight forwarders, shipping agents and major companies who transact business regularly with the Customs. 6.2.2 Raise the awareness of the importance of private sector involvement a) Use SCCC meeting as well as presentations to national Customs to Business Fora to promote the importance of transparency and cooperation with the Private Sector about progress, priorities and also constraints with regards to customs modernisation (in line with WCO recommendations). This can be 6