Bachelor Thesis from the year 2012 in the subject Business economics - Trade and Distribution, grade: 1, National University of Science & Technology Zimbabwe (National University of Sciences and Techology), course: BACHELOR OF COMMERCE (HONOURS) DEGREE IN FISCAL STUDIES, language: English, abstract: The research was aimed to establish the impact of customs modernisation on trade facilitation initiatives implemented by ZIMRA and the relationship between modernisation of customs procedures and economic growth as well as the challenges being faced by the Customs Administration in its objective. The research seeks to answer the following questions: To what extent does the economic environment have any bearing on the modernisation procedures in Customs Administration? How relevant is the Customs legislation in support of modernisation of customs trade facilitation initiatives? Has ZIMRA achieve its intended goals towards embarking on modernizing its Customs operations? What is the impact on various stakeholders, for instance, importers, exporters and the Zimbabwean government? What are the benefits and costs of trade facilitation? What is the relationship between trade facilitation and economic development? The implementation of customs reforms is a topical issue in the customs modernisation field to the extent that the donor community has been funding the projects in many developing countries. However, the greatest challenge is on to the extent to which they affect trade facilitation initiatives. Modernisation of trade facilitation initiatives has been described as the key to sustainable economic development and thus a poverty reduction tool. Zimbabwe has not been seen to be much committed to trade facilitation, instead, it has been characterised by cumbersome and complicated trade procedures, which have worked against trade facilitation in most third world countries. Some of the modernisation initiatives proposed are not being fully utilised. Thus the researcher seeks to evaluate the consequences of those initiatives if implemented in the Customs Administration. Zimbabwe’s economy is backed up by trade with other countries and is also used as a transiting country which links trade between various other countries.

This paper outlines reforms that have been achieved in the modernization of the customs administrations of francophone sub-Saharan (African) countries since the mid-1990s. It also highlights the remaining issues in this process. Progress has been made in the automation of operations and procedures, with constant and significant efforts to strengthen revenue collection and improve trade facilitation in a number of countries. However, the pace and scope of modernization remains insufficient, particularly in developing customs control and enforcement capacities, and enhancing operational resources and management. The findings suggest that the authorities’ strong commitment to reform, organizational and management changes, adequate technical assistance and project management, and effective implementation of modern customs standards, are critical to accelerate the modernization of customs in francophone sub-Saharan Africa.

Trade integration contributes substantially to economic development and poverty alleviation. In recent years much progress was made to liberalize the trade regime, but customs procedures are often still complex, costly and non-transparent. This situation leads to misallocation of resources. 'Customs Modernization Handbook' provides an overview of the key elements of a successful customs modernization strategy and draws lessons from a number of successful customs reforms as well as from customs reform projects that have been undertaken by the World Bank. It describes a number of key import procedures, that have proved particularly troublesome for customs administrations and traders, and provides practical guidelines to enhance their efficiency. The Handbook also reviews the appropriate legal framework for customs operations as well as strategies to combat corruption.

Border clearance processes by customs and other agencies are among the most important and problematic links in the global supply chain. Delays and costs at the border undermine a country’s competitiveness, either by taxing imported inputs with deadweight inefficiencies or by adding costs and reducing the competitiveness of exports. This book provides a practical guide to assist policy makers, administrators, and border management professionals with information and advice on how to improve border management systems, procedures, and institutions.

A companion to the 'Customs Modernization Handbook', this book provides case studies on customs modernization initiatives in seven countries: Bolivia, Morocco, Mozambique, Peru, the Philippines, Turkey, and Uganda. The initiatives in each of these countries show similarities as well as differences in their approach and design. Some have relied on a model of independent revenue authorities (Uganda and Peru), others have called upon private sector service providers to initiate the modernization process (Mozambique), others have taken the drastic step of a complete overhaul of their customs staff (Bolivia and Mozambique), others introduced new information technology to streamline customs processes and to integrate other members of the trading community into an electronic network (Ghana), while still others have approached the modernization process as a pragmatic, well-focused, result-oriented process.

This edition analyses how trade can contribute to economic diversification and empowerment, with a focus on eliminating extreme poverty, particularly through the effective participation of women and youth. It shows how aid for trade can contribute to that objective by addressing supply-side capacity and trade-related infrastructure constraints, including for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises notably in rural areas.

Equal rights between men and women are enshrined as a fundamental human right in the UN Charter, and reflected in various internationally agreed instruments, such as the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Although there has been notable progress in some areas, in most nations women are still at a disadvantage in terms of their role and position in the economic and political arenas. This publication examines the gender dimension of trade and seeks to identify policy challenges and responses to promote gender equality in light of increasing globalisation. Issues discussed include: economics of gender equality, international trade and development; multilateral negotiations on agriculture in developing countries; gender-related issues in the textiles and clothing sectors; international trade in services; gender and the TRIPS Agreement; the impact of WTO rules on gender equality; human rights aspects; fair trade initiatives; the role of IT in promoting gender equality, the Gender Trade Impact Assessment and trade reform.

This book maps the process and political economy of policy making in Africa. It's focus on trade and industrial policy makes it unique and it will appeal to students and academics in economics, political economy, political science and African studies. Detailed case studies help the reader to understand how the process and motivation behind policy decisions can vary from country to country depending on the form of government, ethnicity and nationality and other social factors.

This edition focuses on trade connectivity, which is critical for inclusiveness and sustainable development. Physical connectivity enables the movement of goods and services to local, regional and global markets.

The almost 300 case stories in this book show clear results of how aid-for-trade programmes are helping developing countries to build human, institutional and infrastructure capacity to integrate into regional and global markets and to make good use of trade opportunities.