1. Implementation of a Risk Management System by Cameroon Customs Prepared by: Gasper KONNEH NEBA Inspector of Customs 10 July 2012

2. Outline Background Implementation issues Benefits Some challenges Some lessons learned 2

3. Background: motivation for the reform As part of a general Customs reform program; Pressure from the trade and international partners; Government policy to improve on the business environment in the country; Time release studies and other studies; The deployment of a new Customs management system - ASYCUDA++. 3

4. Implementation issues Institutional arrangements: creation of a Risk Management Unit; Legal framework: reform of Customs procedures; Logistical, technical and financial issues; Partnership with other stakeholders: FAL Committee and Customs/Enterprise Forum; Phased out implementation process: selectivity, performance monitoring, other modules. 4

5. Some benefits Benefits for the government: – Increase in revenue; – Improvement of governance in the Customs environment; – Performance monitoring; Benefits to the trade: – Reduction of clearance time and costs; – The rationalization of Customs controls; – Predictability in the nature and level of controls; – The existence of objective indicators to assess the compliance level of traders. 5

6. Some challenges Resistance to change and lack of cooperation from other agencies and stakeholders; Coping with the informal sector; Lack of adequate funding; Availability of Customs and computing expertise. 6

7. Some lessons learned 100% controls are not necessarily more efficient than selective controls; The need for high level support for the project; The need for dedicated staff and appropriation of the project by the staff; Support from partners (traders, other stakeholders, and international institutions (World Bank, WCO, etc.) Gradual implementation: the different modules were rolled out gradually and continue to be developed. 7

8. Thank you for your kind attention! http://douanescustoms-cm.net 8