Annex II of the SADC Protocol on Trade and the SCCC Strategic Plan 20122016. 1.2 It will apply to Revenue and Customs Authorities / Administrations of the SADC Member States that have signed and acceded to the SADC Protocol on Trade and its related Annexes. 2. Background 2.1 Through the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, SADC Member States recognise the importance of ICT in meeting the challenges posed by globalisation, facilitating the regional integration agenda, and enhancing the socio- economic development prospects of the Region. It is in this context that SADC Member States have agreed on the need to develop an all inclusive, balanced, and socially equitable information and knowledge-based society that is founded on co-ordinated national strategies to effectively integrate ICT into regional development policies. 2.2 Article 6 of Annex II of the SADC Protocol on Trade provides the legal basis that supports the regional collaboration on computerisation of Customs operations, development and consider where possible adoption of common Customs application systems and use of internationally accepted standards, especially those adopted by the World Customs Organization ,United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and UNCTAD. 2.3 The scope and the objectives of the Sub-Committee on Customs Cooperation (SCCC) as established in terms of Article 11 of Annex II of the SADC Protocol on Trade, makes provision for Member States to create a platform in order to collaborate on Customs initiatives that seek to provide practical solutions to common challenges identified. 2.4 At its 22nd meeting in July 2012, the SCCC resolved that a SADC Customs Information Communication Technology Strategy be developed that will identify, prioritize and harmonize ICT initiatives within SADC. 2.5 A workshop was subsequently held from 09th -12th October 2012 in Mauritius to develop the SADC Customs ICT Strategy in line with the Article 6 of Annex II of the Protocol on Trade on computerization of Customs operations. 3. Vision 3.1 To be the leading and seamlessly interconnected customs ICT environment within Southern Africa! 4 Draft SADC Customs ICT Strategy 2012 Page 4