asycuda

Perspective on Risk Management Systems for Customs Administrations

Read what CEO and Founder Chris Thibedeau has to say about data, analytics and frameworks that are crucial for the strategic, operational, and tactical decision-making by officers at the border.

———————————————————————————————————————————————

“As a vendor who designs and deploys border processing systems, we have seen many Customs and border administrations make significant investments towards optimizing and modernizing their border processing capabilities and methodologies in an effort to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced international trade environment.”

“Some administrations build, for example, Single Window environments with automated control mechanisms for licences, permits, certificates and other documentation (LPCO) required by other government agencies (OGAs). But while this can help reduce release times and promote trade facilitation, the other key variable involves the introduction of an effective risk management regime.”

SELECTIVITY IS KEY

“The landscape of risk management technology solutions for Customs administrations varies widely. In some instances, we find smaller economies and lower GDP nations not using risk-based decision making at the border”…(read more)

, ,

The ASYCUDA Myth Part 4:  Time to Open Source

, ,
The ASYCUDA Myth Part 4:  Time to Open Source

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has never intended to open source ASYCUDA (as the WCO recently did in June 2017 with their Cargo Targeting System).  It seems clear that Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) should not be in the business of building and selling rudimentary software solutions, and donors should not be funding the development or deployment especially when there is an appearance of a kickback scheme for a select few...

, ,

The ASYCUDA Myth Part 3:  Where is ASYCUDA Millennium?

, ,
The ASYCUDA Myth Part 3:  Where is ASYCUDA Millennium?

Today we launch the next chapter in our series on ASYCUDA.  We hope you enjoy.  If you missed parts 1 and 2, they can be accessed here:

The ASYCUDA Myth Part 1

 The ASYCUDA Myth Part 2

In the last chapter, we discussed the findings of the UN Audits on ASYCUDA and UNCTAD in 2008 and 2012.  In this chapter, we discuss the plans UNCTAD had for ASYCUDA and why they never actually emerged. 

As requested by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) in 2008, UNCTAD/ASYCUDA was asked to develop a strategy in regards to the development and roll-out of the next generation of ASYCUDA World branded as “ASYCUDA Millennium”...

The WCO CTS Myth – Part 3: A Functional Comparison of the WCO CTS With Best Practices for Targeting and Selectivity

The WCO CTS Myth – Part 3: A Functional Comparison of the WCO CTS With Best Practices for Targeting and Selectivity

The WCO professes the CTS to be a complete, efficient, and effective solution.  Based on this scorecard I’d say that’s a bit of an exaggeration and taken from the UNCTAD ASYCUDA Playbook discussed in Part 1 of the WCO CTS Myth.

They further describe it as user-friendly, simple, powerful, affordable, and sustainable.  They say everything is required to implement and sustain an effective cargo manifest risk assessment solution.  Like a technology vendor, they state they will provide the hardware, data assistance, training, support, maintenance.  The WCO is suddenly discovering that software development can be difficult.  As one example, they’ve only obtained 40% of the cargo data in some countries.  That goes a long way from the full visibility needed at the border.  (Maybe goods aren’t being smuggled in the other 60%?) ....

The WCO CTS Myth – Part 2: A Closer Look at the Pros and Cons of an IGO Targeting System

The WCO CTS Myth – Part 2: A Closer Look at the Pros and Cons of an IGO Targeting System

A good discussion followed Part 1 of The WCO CTS Myth.  Access the PART 1 blog here.  Part 2 will focus on the functions and integration methodology for the system. It sounds like the WCO thinks it is doing the right thing by building an entry level targeting system for it’s members who want one. There’s nothing overly nefarious here.  The problem is, it puts the WCO in direct competition with the technology vendors....

The WCO CTS Myth - Part 1: Is the WCO Marketing with the ASYCUDA model?

The WCO CTS Myth - Part 1: Is the WCO Marketing with the ASYCUDA model?

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is blocking the technology providers from those countries who require and seek a robust risk management solution, by suggesting their Cargo Targeting System (CTS) as the only viable solution available.  No market awareness or survey is provided. Sure -the WCO will point members to the TEN network or WCO IT Conference, but it’s clear to us that members are shown all roads lead to the CTS…. especially when they are told it makes them compliant with WCO SAFE....

, ,

Why Trade Facilitation Needs a U.N. based Open Source Solution (By David Hamilton)

, ,
Why Trade Facilitation Needs a U.N. based Open Source Solution (By David Hamilton)

David Hamilton is an International Trade Facilitation Consultant at Xalgorithms Foundation.  His latest blog provides interesting insight and compares closed and open source source options for UN developed Trade systems such as ASYCUDA World.  Right now the current closed source method limits the level of participation in designing solutions ultimately meant to provide access.   How can we foster this change?

, ,

The Special Advice Jack Ma Can Give UNCTAD...

, ,
The Special Advice Jack Ma Can Give UNCTAD...

Alibaba’s Jack Ma was named UNCTAD’s Special Adviser on trade this week.  Mr. Ma was quoted as follows; "It is an honor to serve as UNCTAD’s Special Adviser on Youth Entrepreneurship and Small Business," said Mr. Ma. "I have spent my career working with entrepreneurs and know the positive social and economic impact when people are given the opportunity to participate in the global economy."

Mr. Ma, we have a problem.  UNCTAD is actually preventing my fellow entrepreneurs, start-ups, and technology firms (who build solutions for border processing and trade facilitation) from the opportunity to participate.  In short, they have created a barrier to market entry.  The playing field is not level.

, ,

Time to open-source ASYCUDA and CTS? (by IBM's Stewart Jeacocke)

, ,
Time to open-source ASYCUDA and CTS? (by IBM's Stewart Jeacocke)

Stewart Jeacocke is the Customs Leader from the IBM Center of Competence. He's promoting what is likely the best idea yet for the future of ASYCUDA and the WCO's CTS.

His blog can be accessed here.