asycuda world

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.

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“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)

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The ASYCUDA Myth Part 2:  United Nations Audit Reveals Collusion, and Conflicts of Interest

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The ASYCUDA Myth Part 2:  United Nations Audit Reveals Collusion, and Conflicts of Interest

We’ve prepared a series of upcoming posts over the next 1-2 weeks regarding ASYCUDA that might draw some interest and discussion.  A few months ago, I had posted a blog on ASYCUDA called: “The ASYCUDA Myth Part 1: Is UNCTAD fostering a No-Bid Sole Source Contract for ASYCUDA World?”  This post can be accessed here and discussed the various tactics employed by UNCTAD to secure a sole source deployment of ASYCUDA under the guise of a misleading feasibility study.

The next in the series (posted here today) is called, “The ASYCUDA Myth Part 2:  United Nations Audit Reveals Collusion, and Conflicts of Interest”, and is based on the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight services (OIOS) audits in 2008 and 2012.  Surprisingly, many in our community are still unaware of these reports and the internal conflicts they exposed. Personally, I only discovered them in the last year.  If you are in anyway involved in trade facilitation, customs modernization, and/or capacity building in the developing world, it is very important to understand the specifics of ASYCUDA development to date and where this system is likely headed.

This blog will be followed by 2 more blogs in the next 2 weeks called,

“The ASYCUDA Myth Part 3:  Where is ASYCUDA Millennium?”

and ;

“The ASYCUDA Myth Part 4:  Time to Open Source.” 

I hope these blogs are enjoyed and prompt much discussion to make the positive change that is desperately needed.

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....

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

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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?

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The Special Advice Jack Ma Can Give UNCTAD...

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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.

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

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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.