Global trade arteries function much like human blood vessels, with goods serving as the lifeblood and customs authorities acting as critical hubs ensuring smooth circulation. When these hubs operate inefficiently, the entire trade system suffers. The key question remains: how can we accurately diagnose and improve customs operational efficiency?
WCO-WACAM Project Delivers Technical Support
Recently, the World Customs Organization (WCO) provided crucial technical assistance to Cape Verde's Customs Administration (CVCA) through its West and Central Africa Capacity Building (WACAM) program. This support helped prepare CVCA for its first-ever Time Release Study (TRS), marking a significant step in enhancing operational efficiency and trade environment optimization while demonstrating Cape Verde's commitment to implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
Funded by Sweden, the WCO-WACAM project has consistently worked to strengthen customs capabilities across West and Central Africa. The support to Cape Verde exemplifies the program's focused, practical approach—delivering not just financial resources but also advanced methodologies and technologies that enable transformative improvements in beneficiary countries.
TRS Workshop Ignites Efficiency Transformation
From September 28 to October 2, 2015, WCO conducted a Portuguese-language TRS workshop in Praia, Cape Verde's capital. The event brought together CVCA officials and stakeholders involved in national clearance processes. Through interactive sessions, participants gained deep understanding of WCO's TRS methodology while thoroughly examining Cape Verde's customs procedures—particularly focusing on cargo scanning and customs documentation review.
The Time Release Study serves as a vital performance measurement tool recommended by WCO to assess the duration between goods arrival at borders and their final release. TRS data analysis helps customs authorities identify bottlenecks, streamline processes, reduce clearance times, and ultimately lower trade costs.
The workshop emphasized practical outcomes, with participants collaboratively developing an action plan to implement TRS at Praia port in subsequent months. This initiative will mobilize both public and private sector resources to collectively advance Cape Verde's trade facilitation agenda.
Advancing Trade Facilitation Through TFA Implementation
The TRS workshop followed WCO-WACAM's July 2015 support for establishing Cape Verde's National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) in Praia. The NTFC provides a coordination platform for cross-agency collaboration on trade facilitation, while TRS implementation offers empirical data to inform evidence-based policymaking.
Notably, conducting TRS aligns with Article 7.6 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, which promotes global trade growth through simplified customs procedures, enhanced transparency, and improved cooperation. Cape Verde's proactive TRS implementation demonstrates both domestic trade efficiency improvements and adherence to international standards.
Small Nation, Significant Impact
Though geographically small, this Atlantic archipelago nation demonstrates outsized commitment to trade modernization. Through WCO collaboration, CVCA continues strengthening operational capabilities and streamlining clearance processes—creating favorable conditions for domestic businesses while improving foreign investment attractiveness and regional competitiveness.
Cape Verde's experience offers valuable lessons for other developing nations, proving that through strategic international partnerships, smaller countries can achieve substantial trade facilitation progress. This model could inspire similar improvements across Africa and globally.
Sustained Collaboration for Trade Prosperity
WCO-WACAM's support for CVCA reflects long-term partnership rather than one-time assistance. Future cooperation will include continued technical assistance and capacity building to further Cape Verde's trade facilitation journey.
The initiative sets an example for increased international support toward developing nations' trade modernization efforts—a crucial step toward achieving truly interconnected global commerce and shared economic benefits.