Latest news with #NationalSingleWindow
Zawya
13-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Webb Fontaine Accelerates Benin's Customs Transformation with Key Milestones
Webb Fontaine ( a leading provider of trade facilitation solutions, has announced a significant milestone in its Customs digitalization project in Benin. The initiative is driving a fundamental transformation in Customs operations across the country. The announcement was made at the 15th Public Finance Review Meeting in Cotonou, an event that brought together key stakeholders and technical partners under the patronage of Mr. Alban Bienvenu BESSAN, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance. Launched in July 2022, the Webb Customs project has already recorded convincing results. Indeed, to date, 44 of the country's 49 customs offices have adopted Webb Customs as a replacement for the ASYCUDAWorld system. Webb Customs already enabled the collection of over 30 billion CFA francs in revenue, the activation of more than 700 user accounts, 90 company accounts, the issuance of 48,000 laissez-passers, the processing of 59,000 returns and issuing more than 100,000 receipts. The migration to Webb Customs in the last five offices, the largest revenue earners of the country, including the port of Cotonou, is planned for mid-2025. This will result in an exponential increase in the above statistics. The successful partnership between the government of the republic of Benin and Webb Fontaine demonstrates how innovative technology can drive efficiency, security, and compliance in modern Customs operations. Alioune Ciss, CEO of Webb Fontaine Group said: ' We are proud to contribute to a more modern, efficient, and transparent Beninese Customs using advanced technologies, including AI, to strengthen the security of Customs operations and facilitate the exchange of information between Customs and other stakeholders along the global supply chain.' Webb Customs provides authorities with a fully digitalized, AI-powered Customs Management System that interconnects all trade platforms such as the National Single Window, the Port Community System and the Electronic Cargo Tracking solution. The result is a streamlined process for cargo clearance that reduces clearance time and corruption, secures Customs revenue and introduces a paperless environment . Webb Fontaine has set several future goals in Benin, focusing on further advancing the modernization of trade and Customs systems through technological integration, research and development, and strategic partnerships. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Webb Fontaine. About Webb Fontaine: Established in 2002 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, Webb Fontaine is a leading technology company specializing in Artificial Intelligence-driven solutions for global trade. With offices spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, the company leverages its extensive expertise to provide governments and communities with innovative solutions that streamline trade processes and enhance efficiency. Webb Fontaine is renowned for its pioneering technologies that help reduce trade fraud, improve Customs revenue, and expedite clearance times, supporting smoother and more profitable trading ecosystems. The company prides itself on a diverse workforce of over 700 professionals from 41 nationalities, emphasizing a culture of excellence, innovation, and integrity. The firm's commitment to research and development is unmatched, owning the largest R&D centres in the trade sector, which are pivotal in advancing trade technology and practices. Webb Fontaine's accolades include numerous international awards and certifications, underscoring its dedication to quality and leadership in trade facilitation.
Zawya
07-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: After 32-years, NPA reviews port tariff by 15%
Compelled by the exigency of bringing Nigerian Ports up to speed with those of its peers in terms of infrastructure and equipment, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Thursday said that it has secured necessary approvals for an upward review in its tariffs which was last reviewed in the year 1993. The 15 per cent upward increase which is to cut across all NPA rates and dues is premised on the urgent need to address the undesirable reality of aged and weak Infrastructure, obsolete equipment and slow port capacity expansion which has continued to diminish the performance and indeed competitiveness of Nigerian Ports. Speaking on Thursday at a stakeholders meeting held in Lagos, the NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho who was represented by the Authority's Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Olalekan Badmus said that the NPA decision to meet stakeholders over the increment was borne out of the desire to carry everyone along. According ro the NPA Managing Director, 'Globally, Port Authorities depend on revenue from operations to stay alive to their responsibilities which includes construction and maintenance of Port infrastructure, dredging of channels, provision of aids for safe navigation, provision of modern marine crafts for efficient harbour services, automation and digitization of port transactions, port security, energy efficiency and training and retraining of its employees. 'The global index of Port rating and competitiveness which the international trade community relies on for its choice of countries to do business with, derives its data from how well the aforementioned responsibilities are addressed. 'Coming at this period of global economic upheaval and scramble for markets, this belated Tariff review borne out of necessity constitutes a critical success factor in Nigeria's quest to win back cargo handling business and its accompanying benefits including job opportunities it had lost to its maritime neighbours. 'Contrary to the popular but erroneous notion that attributes high Port costs to NPA relative to its peers, verifiable data shows NPA Tariffs are amongst the lowest in the region. 'The high incidence of unreceipted costs due to unduly high human interface, bureaucratic bottlenecks, functional overlaps resulting from the absence of a Port Community System (PCS) and its corollary the National Single Window (NSW) are responsible for this contrived falsehood. 'Although long overdue, a quick win benefit of the NPA Tariff review for stakeholders, is the immediate boost it gives to the Authority to fast track the commencement of actual works on its concluded Port reconstruction and modernization plans. 'Secondly, the Tariff review provides the necessary guarantees to fund the acquisition and urgent deployment of the Information Communications Technology (ICT) backbone of the PCS which is the precursor to the implementation of the NSW. 'Furthermore, the increased revenue generation arising from the review buoys the Authority's capacity for critical maintenance works to open up the Eastern Ports for increased vessel and cargo traffic such as the reconstruction of collapsed Escravos Breakwaters and challenged aspects of Rivers, Onne and Calabar Ports respectively.' Also speaking during the stakeholders meeting, Joshua Asanga a stakeholder agreed with the increase adding that the value of NPA present tariff has since been suppressed by Inflation which is at about 35 percent. Asanga listed port management liabilities like wages, fuel and other areas of expenditure as having adjusted upwards without a commensurate rise in NPA charges for over thirty years. He added that NPA needs funds for improved port infrastructure, robust ICT for Port Community System, procurement of tug boats and other operational platforms to achieve efficiency. Another stakeholder, Demian Ukagu, who spoke at the event talked on the need to apply more NPA funding to outer port facilities and jetties like the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and the development of other critical port facilities across the country. He added that NPA rates should be able to cover these costs would guarantee minimum return on investment and promote sustainable trade. The meeting agreed that existing tariffs were set devoid of capital cost, labour cost, consumables and overhead expenditures needed to run the ports. They feared that keeping the ports on the old tariff would promote consequences like poor service, inadequate infrastructure, poor remuneration, obsolete port facilities, equipment and infrastructure. NPA reviews port tariff by 15% READ MORE FROM: Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
