Project approved to further improve and modernize Afghan Customs Department

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The World Bank this week approved a $50.48 million grant so Afghanistan can continue to modernize its Customs Department, thus further reducing corruption, and increasing revenue collection.

Project description (from the World Bank):

The objective of the project is to improve the release of legitimate goods in a fair and efficient manner. The grant will help finance costs associated with: countrywide computerization of customs clearance operations; installation of executive information systems for customs allowing real-time monitoring of operations; development of possible options for cross-border Customs-to-Customs cooperation; provision of selected customs infrastructure to enable modernized operations; and technical assistance to support the development of a regulatory, administrative, and institutional framework for customs. Through these initiatives the project will continue the World Bank’s efforts to reform and modernize the Afghan customs process.

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Improvements made to Afghanistan’s Customs Department has increased the collection of revenue at the border through out the years. According to a recent UN report, “revenues went from some US$ 50 million in 2003/4 to over US$ 434 million in 2008/9, and in in 2009/10, Customs revenues increased by about 90 percent, accounting for 34.5 percent of total domestic revenues”.

May 28, 2010 · admin · No Comments
Posted in: Afghanistan's Economy, Reconstruction and Development