To align with its Strategic Vision, SAAFF has identified 5 projects in which it will be actively participating, through the support of the different SAAFF Chapters. Progress updates, with the team and its successes will be shared on the SAAFF website – please visit the project page regularly. Here is a brief overview of each of the projects:
- North South Corridor: Headed up by Lin Botha, with a strong linkage to the Transport Forum and work done by DTIC, Director, John Rocha.
Background: A multi-modal (road, rail and ports) trans-continental project providing interconnectivity between Durban and the North of Africa, this project covers various aspects such as upgrading the infrastructure including roads, bridges, border posts, etc. This further requires the working together of the “member” countries – South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Malawi.
Deliverable: The key focus is to increase the efficiency and capacity of the transport sectors, ensuring easy border crossing for both cargo and passengers. This ultimately will lead to a reduction in the costs and delays and create regional integration, leading to increased regional trade.
- World Customs Organisation – East and Southern Africa (WCO-ESA) – Regional Private Sector Group: Headed up by Devan Govender, Vice Chair of SAAFF and the Kwa-Zulu Natal Chapter
Background: Comprising 24 member countries, the purpose of this group is to monitor the effective implementation of the WCO toolkit (Guidelines, Standards, instruments) and their effective uptake to ensure we operate in the most efficient ESA region. This will ultimately lead to the economic growth of the Region in trade, security and protection of all citizens. The Regional Private Sector Group will provide the WCO- PSCG (Private Sector Consultative Group) and Customs administrations via WCO – ESA- ROCB (regional office for Capacity Building) with input from a trade and business perspective. SAAFF is currently the project leader in the Region of this Forum and will ensure that a collective, transparent, inclusive working method is adopted amongst the 24 member countries. Please visit the web page: www.wcoesarpsg.org
Deliverables: To be part of an effective lobby group and ensure that the views of the private sector are heard and incorporated into the WCO-PSCG agenda, with good practical solutions and real verified case studies.
- Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Project (Owners and Role-players in the Extended Supply Chain: Compliance, Safety and Security): Headed up by Llewelyn Osborne, Chair of the Western Cape Chapter
Background: South Africa’s Preferred Trader (PT) Programme (compliance) was embarked on a number years ago by SARS. The PT programme matured and SARS is now ready to migrate from the existing PT programme, to the AEO Programme (fully-fledged), adding the safety and security component into the supply chain. The AEO Programme will include the owners of the supply chain as well as the role-players in the extended supply chain. This AEO programme started with its migration pilot phase/testing in 2019 within the automotive industry and will now move to the textile and other industries.
Deliverables: To facilitate the moving of PT-approved clients into the AEO Programme, which provides additional benefits, as risk is being transferred to the trader himself for a better compliant, safety and secure trading environment. Trust needs to be established in the trading environment to ensure Customs Administration (SARS) can put reliance on the traders’ ability to uphold the high level of standards. With the effective transferring of responsibility and ownership, traders will benefit by being able to unlock a better international trading environment. This will soon be expanded to include the role-players in the extended supply chain.
- Smart Borders (DHA, DOT, SARS, C-BRTA, DTIC): Chaired by Rossouw Botha, Chair of SAAFF’s PE Chapter
Background: Smart borders have been around for many years, but mainly in the developed countries i.e. the European Union (EU). There have been numerous discussions around the establishing of these types of borders in Africa and SARS has engaged Trade, other government agencies (OGAs) and neighbouring countries. These borders are where all systems, OGAs and countries are integrated. As cargo moving through these borders, they will only be processed once: in doing so they would have cleared Customs, OGAs and immigration for both countries. All this processing will take place electronically.
Deliverable: Reduce delays and costs of moving cargo through land borders, working towards the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) and the WTO-TFA trade facilitation agenda.
- New Customs Acts Programme (NCAP) – Activation of the New Act: Chaired by Maria du Preez, Chair of SAAFF Gauteng
Background: The roll-out of the new Customs Acts (Duty Act 30 and Control Act 31 of 2014), started in April 2018. Since then, several different aspects have already been implemented, such as RCG (Reporting for the Conveyance of Goods) and RLA (Registration, Licensing and Accreditation). The current indication is that the complete Acts should be rolled out by 2025. The project is divided into 7 high-level phases and an active leading role from the private sector is required. The implementation, testing and case studies on the effectiveness will be much needed, to ensure a real collaborative approach between the private sector and Government to bring about sustainable benefits. Once the skill sets are complimentary between the private and public sectors, the best solutions with successful uptake and implementation will be guaranteed.
Deliverable: Working with SARS in a real, tangible, collaborative way will ensure quicker and smoother rollout of the new Acts, also ensuring that the rollout does not interrupt trade and add to costs/delays.