9 Resolutions for Trade Facilitation: Working Visit of the DG/Customs

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The Director General of Customs of Benin, Alain Hinkati, made a working visit to Nigeria on September 11 and 12, 2023. The objective is to continue the work started by his Nigerian counterpart in Cotonou since July 24, 2023.

What is it about : A month after the visit of the Comptroller General of Customs of Nigeria, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the Republic of Benin, Director General of Customs of Benin, Alain Hinkatis visited Nigeria. This meeting allowed the two delegations to adopt measures to strengthen the common commitment to trade facilitation, the promotion of economic development and the maintenance of close ties between the two countries. During the meetings spread over two days , delegations looked at trade relations and transit between the two countries and identified solutions to concerns regarding operational procedures.

What are the resolutions made : At the end of the two days of activities, 09 resolutions were taken by the two parties. This concerns the development of a framework for customs clearance of goods destined for Nigeria at the port of Cotonou and vice versa; the harmonization of the lists of products prohibited by the two countries; better compliance with international transit guidelines to govern goods and transit fees from Benin to Nigeria. They also decided to accelerate the integration of Nigeria into the interconnected system for managing goods in transit (SIGMAT); the examination by the two administrations of the process of issuing the pass and paying guarantees on the vehicles; promoting good relations with border populations, professionalism and tax compliance. “The relaunch of the consultative frameworks of border customs units with the active participation of the private sector and the reactivation of the joint commission for monitoring commercial and transit relations; the development of infrastructure supporting trade facilitation; the implementation as soon as possible of the recommendation of Benin customs relating to the opening of customs units still closed on the Nigerian side” are among others the measures taken. All these measures aim to strengthen cooperation, trade facilitation and promoting economic growth. A precise operationalization agenda has been developed for rigorous monitoring in the implementation of the various measures.

What else did they talk about:The Nigerian and Beninese customs administrations have also decided to relaunch in the coming months the consultative framework of central and border customs units with the active participation of the private sector and on trade facilitation. Joint patrols will be organized for this purpose. Focal points will be designated in the coming days to manage complaints relating to non-tariff barriers. It was also decided to create new customs border posts with skill levels of installations that could facilitate better interventions. This aims to bring customs units closer together. A joint study including an audit of the infrastructure of existing posts will be carried out with a view to making them operational. Finally, Beninese customs specifically recommend the opening as soon as possible of the customs units still closed on the Nigerian side.