Imagine the transformative impact on Cape Verde’s trade if cargo clearance efficiency doubled—or more. This vision is now within reach as the World Customs Organization (WCO) partners with the Cape Verde Customs Authority (CVCA) to launch the country’s inaugural Time Release Study (TRS), a pivotal step toward trade facilitation.
Strategic Collaboration Lays Foundation for Trade Growth
Recognizing that stakeholder engagement and performance evaluation are critical to enhancing customs services, CVCA sought WCO’s expertise in TRS methodology. This collaboration forms part of the WCO’s West and Central Africa Capacity Building (WACAM) project, funded by Sweden, which aims to strengthen customs operations and regional trade across West and Central Africa.
Capacity Building Through Expert-Led Workshops
Under the WCO-WACAM initiative, a Portuguese-language TRS workshop convened in Praia from September 28 to October 2, 2015. Customs officials and trade stakeholders examined WCO’s TRS framework and scrutinized national clearance processes—particularly cargo scanning and document verification—to identify inefficiencies.
Action Plan Sets Stage for Operational Improvements
Participants developed a joint action plan to implement TRS at Praia Port, engaging both public and private sectors to ensure comprehensive data collection. The initiative aligns with Cape Verde’s broader trade facilitation efforts, including the July 2015 establishment of a National Trade Facilitation Committee (NCTF) with WACAM support.
TRS: A Catalyst for WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Compliance
The study directly supports implementation of Article 7.6 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). As a globally recognized diagnostic tool, TRS quantifies clearance timelines, pinpoints bottlenecks, and enables process optimization through:
- Time measurement: Tracking each clearance phase (document processing, inspection, tax payment)
- Bottleneck analysis: Identifying delays from redundant documentation, excessive inspections, or poor coordination
- Process redesign: Streamlining procedures based on data-driven insights
- Transparency enhancement: Providing traders with predictable clearance timelines
- Cross-sector collaboration: Fostering cooperation between customs, government agencies, and businesses
Implementation Roadmap
The TRS methodology follows a structured seven-step process:
- Scope definition (goods types, ports, procedures)
- Multi-stakeholder team formation
- Data collection via surveys, observation, and system records
- Statistical analysis of clearance timelines
- Recommendations for documentation simplification, inspection optimization, and IT upgrades
- Action plan execution
- Continuous performance monitoring
WACAM Project: Driving Regional Customs Modernization
As the engine behind this transformation, the WCO-WACAM project delivers technical assistance, training, and equipment to West and Central African customs administrations. Key objectives include:
- Strengthening management systems (risk assessment, performance evaluation, staff training)
- Enhancing enforcement capabilities against smuggling, tax evasion, and IP violations
- Advancing trade facilitation through digitalization and procedural simplification
- Promoting regional integration via inter-customs cooperation
The Praia TRS initiative marks Cape Verde’s commitment to creating a business-friendly trade environment while fulfilling international obligations. With WCO-WACAM’s ongoing support, the nation positions itself for economic growth through streamlined customs operations.