Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) executive secretary Tswelopele Moremi has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with World Customs Organisation (WCO) secretary-general Kunio Mikuriya, to work together on customs reform and modernisation.

The signing of the MoU ensured that Sacu could benefit from international standards and the customs experience of the WCO. It aimed to assist Sacu member countries to comply with international customs instruments and modernise their respective customs administrations.

Sacu has embarked on a comprehensive regional customs development programme, noted Moremi, adding that the objective was to contribute to the development of a sustainable and improved economy in Sacu, with regard to trade, security and social protection.

Speaking at a signing ceremony in Brussels on Monday, Moremi said that the support of the WCO was timely, as Sacu Heads of State and government have identified trade facilitation and the promotion of intra-Sacu trade as a priority area requiring attention.

"Modern customs authorities need to balance the objective of facilitating trade, with their roles as societal protectors and revenue agents of the State," said Moremi.

The identification of priority focus areas came as the oldest operational customs union celebrated its centenary in 2010 - member States adopted a new vision and mission, and had an ambition of transforming Sacu to more adequately respond to global challenges.

The programme would assist customs authorities in the Sacu region to design and implement a comprehensive regional reform programme, and to develop a set of uniform customs policies and procedures.

It would also establish a general legislative framework for the administration of customs activities in Sacu, develop a regional risk management framework that would facilitate trade, compliance and security within Sacu, and develop and implement standard operating procedures in common areas.

The programme would also promote regional information technology interconnectivity and information exchange.

In addition to assistance from the WCO, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency also supported the Sacu secretariat on this programme.