IMPLEMENTATION OF AUTHORISED ECONOMIC OPERATORS FOR EASE OF DOING BUSINESS BEGINS
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in an attempt to intensify its effort to
enhance the ease of doing business for compliant stakeholders, has commenced the
implementation of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programme benefits for
the first set of approved Importers, Exporters, SMEs, Customs Licensed Brokers and
Logistics Operators; effective 2nd September 2024. This landmark initiative
introduces new standards in line with global best practices, aiming to enhance trade
facilitation, ameliorate existing difficulties within the supply chain and strengthen
Nigeria’s position in the global trading community. These benefits will be
administered continuously, contingent on the compliance of all selected participants
with the programme’s provisions.
It is pertinent to note that these inaugural participants were carefully chosen
based on their outstanding compliance within the supply chain, following an
exhaustive three-month AEO validation process designed to uphold the highest
selection standards. Additionally, the AEO program is being implemented under the
guidance of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), which has played a pivotal
role by providing experts for capacity development, training, and supplying essential
materials.
Similarly, key partners such as the World Bank‘s Accelerating Revenue
Mobilization Reforms (ARMOR) and various Customs administrations across the
globe with emphasis on His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), South
African Revenue Service (SARS) and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) where
benchmarking exercises were conducted, have significantly contributed to the success of this AEO initiative
As part of the programme, consignments belonging to the selected Authorized
Economic Operators will receive preferential treatment, including Automatic PAAR
Registration, Direct Green Lane Routing, Dedicated Relationship Manager, and
AEO Branding. Upon the successful completion of the pilot phase and verification
of ongoing compliance with all established provisions, participants will be awarded
certificates formally recognising their status as Authorized Economic Operators.
Furthermore, this pilot phase will be operational across all ports, where valuable
insights and learnings will be gathered to enhance service delivery.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, emphasized
the need for robust support from all stakeholders, including other government
agencies (OGAs) and development partners to promote the success of this pilot test.
He remarked, “Collaboration is not just vital; it is essential for unlocking the full
potential of the AEO programme, which promises to significantly streamline trade
processes and elevate Nigeria’s standing in the global trade arena.”
The NCS remains unwavering in its commitment to promoting transparency,
efficiency, and ease of doing business. The Service readily anticipates full-scale
implementation of the AEO programme, further solidifying its dedication to
fostering a seamless and secure trading environment for all Nigerians. The
successful implementation of this pilot phase represents a key milestone in the
Service’s pursuit of aligning with best practices towards efficient service delivery.