- as it meets GRA boss, Trade Minister & AfCFTA officials
Management of the Ghana Link Network Services Limited, implementers of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), has said plans are being concluded to extend its business beyond the borders of Ghana to include the entire African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in the near future.
The plan to enter the continental market is part of efforts to make the port business more effective and efficient, with management of the ICUMS disclosing that it continuously improving the systems to ensure that users have the best available solutions.
Uni-Pass is an end‑to‑end customs management system developed by local firm, Ghana Link, with its South Korean partner, CUPIA Korea Customs Service.
Speaking during a separate call on the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Trade Minister and some selected officials of the AfCFTA, Chairman of Customs Uni-Pass Agency of Korea (CUPIA), Kim Yoon-Shik, said Ghana is very important and integral to Uni-Pass’ desire to expand its technology to other African countries within the AfCFTA.
Chairman Yoon-Shik, who also doubles as Head, Global Business for CUPIA, said the CUPIA would ensure continuous development and upgrade of the ICUMS in Ghana for maximum efficiency.
He asked the trade minister and leadership of the GRA to support the company’s ambitions to expand to other countries, particularly within the trading bloc.
“I believe the support and contributions of the GRA and all stakeholders, particularly Ghana Link, as crucial to our success and we intend to replicate it in other countries,” Yoon-Shik said.
In unanimity, Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen thanked the Customs Uni-Pass Agency of Korea (CUPIA) for the visit and said, it was clear the implementation of the ICUMS system has resolved the challenges with the country’s trade facilitation, leading to improvement in revenue collection.
“Despite initial challenges, we have achieved outstanding results since the introduction of the ICUMS system. We have long yearned for a robust and flexible trade facilitation system and we have agreed that, so far, so good,” he indicated.
GRA’s Commissioner General, Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, indicated that the work of the Authority has been made more easy and attractive since the introduction of the ICUMS system.
He asked management of the ICUMS to continue to positively impact society with such systems to enhance revenue mobilisation just as Ghana has benefited.V
