Status: Completed

Period of implementation: October 2022 to May 2023

Donor: European Union – 11th European Development Fund

Direct Beneficiary: Customs and Excise Division

Implementing Agency: UNCTAD, ONAO, Customs and Excise Division

Donor Contribution: 157,190 EUR

Background:

The Customs and Excise Division has undergone many software upgrades and operational changes to enhance its capability to manage and control legitimate trade efficiently and effectively. The automation initiative was introduced in 2003 through the implementation of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) version 2.7. This platform was soon replaced by the Customs Automated Services (CASE) system originally developed for Jamaica Customs which was implemented by the Customs and Excise Division. Despite the benefits derived from enabling electronic submission of customs declarations and back-office processing, the CASE system showed notable weaknesses. 

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda engaged in consultation with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the European Union (EU) and reached a decision to implement the latest version of ASYCUDA World. This version provided an adequate solution for the Customs and Excise Division with its desirable features of interoperability, electronic document management, advanced functionalities, and manageability. In the first instance, the EU supported this process through a Contribution Agreement, financed by the 10^th European Development Fund (EDF) and implemented by UNCTAD, signed in November 2014 for the implementation of ASYCUDA World at the Customs and Excise Division. 

ASYCUDA World has increased the use of information technology within the Customs and Excise Division by simplifying customs procedures, reducing the reliance on paper-driven processes, and allowing traders to transact with Customs through an electronic environment. The Customs and Excise Division is now capable of providing automated services 24/7 to the trading community. Customs brokers and shipping agents do not need to wait for regular working hours to submit their transactions.

Building on the achievements of the initial 10^th EDF project, Customs and Excise Division sought to extend and broaden the use of ASYCUDA in supporting its operational capacity and functions through funding provided under the 11^th EDF.

Objective:

The overall objective of this action is to provide technical assistance to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, enhancing functional features of the ASYCUDA World system’s operation and delivering technical support to its Customs and Excise Division.

Project Description:

UNCTAD had provided technical assistance for the overall implementation of ASYCUDA. However, there was a growing need to extend the system’s functional features to make available online payment methods with authorized financial institutions capable of collecting on behalf of the Customs and Excise Division all charges assessed at any of the ports of entry and departure in Antigua and Barbuda. 

This project complemented previous reform efforts in support of enhanced performance of Antigua and Barbuda’s external trade sector and its contribution to growth and development.

The scope of the technical assistance supported the efforts of the Customs and Excise Division in transitioning to a paperless processing environment and enhanced trade facilitation through a three-Phase strategy for the upgrade of ASYCUDA World as follows: 

• – ASYCUDA World Upgrade and Prototyping – Installation, configuration, and deployment of the latest ASYCUDA World release.  
• – Deployment of the upgraded ASYCUDA World at Customs sites – the project deployed the e-payment facility and ASYCUDA Portal which will be followed by other upgraded modules. Sensitization and training of Customs staff and the trade community was also carried out in this phase before deployment. 
• – Capacity building.  Advanced functional and technical training delivered to the CED’s staff to build in-house capacity for the configuration, administration, continuous operation, and expansion of the upgraded system.