The MoU comprises technical cooperation in two projects: “Digitizing Global Trade” (DGT) and “Advanced Rulings”. The planned activities aim to accelerate the customs clearance of goods through digitisation of procedures, early submission of documents and increased predictability of operations.
Dr. Benjamin Laag, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Germany in Côte d’Ivoire said:
“The projects carried out under the memorandum will contribute on the one hand to further secure the collection of customs duties and on the other hand to improve the overall logistics performance of Côte d’Ivoire – with positive effects on its integration into global value chains as well as its positioning as a regional hub for e-commerce in the specific case of express shipments by air.”
«Les projets menés dans le cadre de mémorandum contribueront d’une part à sécuriser davantage la collecte des droits de douanes et d’autre part à améliorer la performance logistique globale de la Côte d’Ivoire avec des effets positifs sur son intégration dans les chaines de valeurs mondiales ainsi que son positionnement comme hub régional pour le commerce électronique dans le cas spécifique des envois express par voie aérienne. »
The “Advanced Rulings” project is part of the support to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The project will focus on the advance ruling mechanism on tariff classification and origin of goods. All project partners are committed to enhance the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement, including its Annex 4 on trade facilitation measures to boost the forthcoming opening of intra-African trade.
The DGT project in Côte d’Ivoire aims to introduce digital solutions within Ivorian customs. This will strengthen the pre-arrival processing of express shipments by air and simplify export procedures. Over the next two years, Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL) and GIZ will jointly implement activities with the public and private sector. In addition, the project will also provide general capacity building and specific trainings for Small and Medium Enterprises and women businesses. The capacity building aims to foster compliance and improve the trade opportunities for all.
The DGT initiative is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and DPDHL. The projects are jointly implemented by DPDHL and GIZ within the framework of the develoPPP programme.
Next to Côte d’Ivoire, projects are currently being implemented in Cambodia, Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda.
