Trade Minister calls for robust ICUMS systems to respond to evolving markets
Trade Minister, John Alan Kyerematen has urged Ghana Link Network, operators of the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS) at the nation’s ports and its technical partners Customs of Korea (CUPIA) to continuously seek to develop a robust system aimed at responding to the dynamic change in the market.
According to him, as ICUMS pursues markets in the sub-region and leveraging on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with the Gambia being its latest contract, he reckons a system that will stand the test of time and evolve will be critical than ever.
“We need a system that is robust and flexible to respond to the dynamic change in the market, so far so good, very good progress but the work is not finished, you should continue to work together,” he said when officials of Ghana Link Network and CUPIA paid a visit to him at the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra.
The trade minister, added that it was his hope the bonds of friendship between the two countries will grow stronger.
Chairman of CUPIA, Kim Yoon-Shik on his part said they have developed systems in several countries but he believes that of Ghana “is the most successful, in system development there is no end, it is a continuous improvement.”
He indicated that he chose Ghana as his first visit to Africa to reflect how the business structure operates and also the West African nation represents a ‘role model’ for their business.
“With the support of CUPIA, we are improving the Korea Customs systems, we will work hard and continuously provide support to the Ghana system, we want to apply these other African nations so they improve their economic development.
The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah also commended CUPIA and Ghana Link for their support thus far and hailed the impact of the newly introduced E-auction module of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
He maintained that he looks forward to sustained relationship and capacity building between the parties.
Following a successful implementation of the ICUMS in the country, Ghana Link Network Services Ltd. has partnered Customs Unipass International Agency of South Korea (CUPIA) to penetrate The Gambia to streamline its ports systems and enhance revenue generation.
ICUMS, which is the name of the Ghana version of Universal Pass (UNI-PASS), built by Korea Customs, is a new all-in-one customs management solution owned by government. Ghana Link Network Services Limited, which has a 10-year contract with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, partnered Korea Customs to introduce UNI-PASS in Ghana.
In June 2020, the Government of Ghana, Customs Division of the GRA, UNIPASS-Ghana and other well-meaning agencies joined up to usher Ghana’s trade to a single window system; the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
Functioning fully as an e-Customs system, it was introduced to coordinate cross-border trade activities, cut cost to stakeholders and increase government revenue mobilisation.
