Customs' Efforts in Anti Corruption - WCO Secy General Explains
ADDRESSING the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Bangkok , on Customs' efforts in fighting corruption and preserving integrity, WCO Secretary General Mikuriya explained the three remedies contained in the revised WCO Arusha Declaration:
Firstly, a moderate regulatory arrangement, including reductions in excessively high tariffs and restraining wide-spread exemptions;
Secondly, the simplification of procedures using information technology to gain efficiency and reduce opportunities for corruption; and
Thirdly, adequate human resource management, including the introduction of decent working condition, merit-based recruitment and performance-based promotion and disciplinary measures.
He suggested that inefficiency is the cause of corruption rather than the other way round. He also emphasized the need to tackle integrity as part of a comprehensive Customs reform programme rather than taking a piece-meal approach. This requires political will and leadership by top management, and Business and civil society could help in this respect.
To illustrate the combination of efficiency gains by computerization and strengthened human resource management by performance measurement, the Secretary General mentioned the recent Cameroon experience, which resulted in reduced corruption and increased revenue. Cameroon Customs introduced an automated system in 2007 to streamline procedures and then applied performance measurement of line officers by analyzing records in the automated system in 2010 to reward officers with good performance records with potential promotion while removing officers who were found cheating.
The Secretary General also underlined the importance of Customs-business partnerships as business should increase its compliance in the same manner as Customs improves integrity. In the context of supply chain security, Customs should identify traders with good compliance records and work with them in partnership to reduce security risks and in turn provide them with facilitation benefits.