5.1
Desired outcome: Throughtargeted and light support to national stakeholders
the SADC Customs Unitis able to provide technical support to Customs to
Business Dialogue platfor ms that enhance dialogue and cooperation. The
private sector better understands its role in the dialogue with Customs
Administration and can contribute resources and information when needed.
The public sector sees the private sector as a partner and values the formal
dialogue with the private sector.
5.2
The sub activities under this Key Result Area are:
a. Formalization of existing dialogue: formalize existing forums in all SADC
Member States with formal Terms of Reference and Memorandum of
Understanding.
b. Strengthen existing fora: Continue with ongoing support of national
customs to private sector dialogue to enhance existing mechanisms.
c. Support the establishment of new formal dialogue mechanisms: This may
require supporting the establishment of NCBFs or non-NCBF dialogue
mechanisms that is suitable for the specific context in the Member States.
Templates, case studies and contact details of other fora should be made
available to assist emerging fora.
d. Peer-learning: Assist Member States to learn from each other and assist to
strengthen currents dialogue channels. Case studies of different dialogue
mechanisms, and successful cooperation on pertinent customs issues
should be captured and disseminated to enhance learning and to support
the evolution of different dialogue mechanisms. The Strengthening
Customs to Business Dialogue in Member States publication, TORs and
other material is made available to Member States.
e. Customs to business partnership should be reflected in MS Customs
modernization programmes and national legislative framework. This will
also support its sustainability.
Resource implications
This area is partly an extension of the existing activities of the SADC Customs
Unit, with the addition that support is also provided to Member States that
have alternative mechanisms to NCBFs (only if needed).
Support to strengthen existing fora may require more travel budgets and will
have an effect on human resources.
NCBFs will require resources and facilities such as a secretariat, venue for
meetings, travel budgets, additional responsibilities, etc. Customs
Administrations and the Private Sector are expected to cover the cost of these
resources and any other related costs associated with the day to day running
of the forum including the executive committee.
5