As a way of increasing the efficiency of Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA)’s customs officials, The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide capacity building assistance to the tax body.

JICA Resident Representative, Hiroshi Murakami noted that through this project, the customs department will be transformed into a modern section by enabling the establishment of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP).

According to officials, integration of checks and customs procedures of two countries at opposite borders will allow persons, vehicles and goods to make only one stop to exit one country and enter another country.

"The project will also support the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat and Construction of the Rusomo boarders to reduce the cost of doing business,” Murakami said.

Under this project, a legal framework will also be developed in addition to operational procedures and state-of- the- art Information and Communication Technology.

The RRA Commissioner General, Mary Baine welcomed this development saying that this project is beneficial to all partner states.

"It focuses on the points that bring together all member states (the border posts). As a result this will not only improve the quality of services but also boost trade within the region,” she noted.

JICA will mainly place emphasis on Rwanda and Burundi as the newest members of the EAC bloc.

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