BURUNDI TRADERS WELCOME ELECTRONIC SINGLE WINDOW

Traders sell fruits and vegetables on a street in
Bujumbura, Burundi. The system will allow traders to
access online standardised information and documents
from a single entry point.

The Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR) has launched the Electronic Single Window System (ESS), which will allow traders to access online standardised information and documents from a single entry point.

At least 10 institutions have already been integrated into the system. They are the Finance, Health and Agriculture ministries, OBR, Burundi Bureau of Standards, the Central Bank, the Burundi Investment Promotion Authority, inspection companies, the police and banks with electronic payments.

Burundi’s Second Vice-President Gervais Rufyikiri said the project will reduce the time taken in Customs procedures and controls, as well as help in the fight against fraud and corruption.

“The system is expected to increase revenue collection through transparency and also ensure the safety of the taxpayers,” Dr Rufyikiri said.

“We signed a Customs modernisation project document with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, with the primary objective of installing Asycuda World. This computer system uses the most modern and comprehensive technology, which will reduce the time and cost of doing business in Burundi,” said OBR Commissioner-General Domitian Ndihokubwayo.

READ: New technologies cut down transit cost and time

The implementation of the project included the deployment of the system in the main Customs offices and the seven border points of Banda, Mugina, Gisuru, Kanyaru, Rumandari, Gahumo and Gatumba.

The ESS is expected to increase Customs revenue collection and improve the Burundi Revenue Authority’s ability to monitor goods in transit, as well as the quality of business data statistics. The $2.4 million project will also help eliminate non-tariff barriers.

“The ESS will facilitate trade and provide a platform for traders and Burundi agencies, reducing corruption and promoting trans-border trade in the EAC,” said TradeMark East Africa country director Anthe Vrijlandt.

Traders have welcomed the new system. “OBR has issues of transparency. When you bring in a container of goods this week and pay all the taxes, the next week when you come with the same goods in the container they charge you a different amount that is higher than the amount initially paid,” said Mustapha Masumbuko, a trader in Bujumbura.

The East African