Within the context of implementation of a Single Electronic Window for Foreign Trade Facilitation (SEW), the ongoing Asian Development Bank project of customs modernization and as a first step towards an integrated border control and inspections, the Mongolian Customs General Administration (MCGA) requested EPRC assistance to implement a customs risk management (CRM) system. EPRC has been assisting with the development of a SEW and as part of this effort has been working during the last year with the General Agency for Specialized Inspection (GASI) with the computerization of their Zamyn Uud border inspection offices. EPRC has helped GASI with the installation and deployment of a local area network (LAN) that will eventually allow the GASI Zamyn Uud border inspection office to move away from a manual system and access the MCGA GAMAS system.
Through the introduction of CRM, MCGA intends to find a better balance between control and trade facilitation and move away from the current 100 percent inspection of consignments to perform these only on consignments so identified by a system of risk profiles. To that effect, MCGA recently created and assigned initial staff to a Risk Management Unit (RMU).
With assistance from Mr. Jorge Montoya, an international customs expert, the project began assistance to MCGA with the establishment of its RMU and development of a staged and practical management plan to introduce risk management. On 3 September 2009, MCGA held an internal workshop to discuss findings of the initial institutional assessment and action plans to implement a CRM program.
The workshop consisted of two sessions. The first session was designed to explain CRM implementation cycles and the roles of respective MCGA departments throughout the cycle as well as roles and functions of regional and district customs branches and customs brokers. The session focused on the five major elements necessary for implementation of CRM, including: investigation, profiling, criteria identification, analysis and feedback, and selectivity. Such implementation will require continuous effort from all stakeholders, including all MCGA departments, private traders and brokers and inspectors from the General Agency for Specialized Inspection and should proceed from simple models that can be further refined as experience and testing proceeds.
The second session aimed to transfer technical skills through the implementation of practical, hands-on activities. For the activities, RMU used data and information from its ongoing investigations, to determine and assign appropriate risk levels to various companies, products, different border or entry points and other relevant, potential risks. Based on these risk data, profiles for specific companies, products, entry points, criteria can then be developed and tested to enable customs inspection selectivity. The workshop included discussion of technical issues with RMU and IT staff and development of case work to develop profiles, criteria, update and evaluate investigation results and estimate the probabilities of risk for given shipments.
Fourteen participants attended the first session, including directors of the RMU, Control Division, Finance and Economic Affairs Division, the IT Center, the Statistical Division and senior inspectors. The second session was specifically designed for officers from the RMU and IT Center.
At MGCA’s request, Mr. Montoya is scheduled to return in October to assist with the RM implementation plan, work with customs staff to improve risk profiling, investigation and analysis. The project will also assist MGCA develop a program to bring brokers in compliance with current Mongolian customs laws and international norms.
Through the introduction of CRM, MCGA intends to find a better balance between control and trade facilitation and move away from the current 100 percent inspection of consignments to perform these only on consignments so identified by a system of risk profiles. To that effect, MCGA recently created and assigned initial staff to a Risk Management Unit (RMU). With assistance from Mr. Jorge Montoya, an international customs expert, the project began assistance to MCGA with the establishment of its RMU and development of a staged and practical management plan to introduce risk management. On 3 September 2009, MCGA held an internal workshop to discuss findings of the initial institutional assessment and action plans to implement a CRM program.
The workshop consisted of two sessions. The first session was designed to explain CRM implementation cycles and the roles of respective MCGA departments throughout the cycle as well as roles and functions of regional and district customs branches and customs brokers. The session focused on the five major elements necessary for implementation of CRM, including: investigation, profiling, criteria identification, analysis and feedback, and selectivity. Such implementation will require continuous effort from all stakeholders, including all MCGA departments, private traders and brokers and inspectors from the General Agency for Specialized Inspection and should proceed from simple models that can be further refined as experience and testing proceeds.
The second session aimed to transfer technical skills through the implementation of practical, hands-on activities. For the activities, RMU used data and information from its ongoing investigations, to determine and assign appropriate risk levels to various companies, products, different border or entry points and other relevant, potential risks. Based on these risk data, profiles for specific companies, products, entry points, criteria can then be developed and tested to enable customs inspection selectivity. The workshop included discussion of technical issues with RMU and IT staff and development of case work to develop profiles, criteria, update and evaluate investigation results and estimate the probabilities of risk for given shipments.
Fourteen participants attended the first session, including directors of the RMU, Control Division, Finance and Economic Affairs Division, the IT Center, the Statistical Division and senior inspectors. The second session was specifically designed for officers from the RMU and IT Center.
At MGCA’s request, Mr. Montoya is scheduled to return in October to assist with the RM implementation plan, work with customs staff to improve risk profiling, investigation and analysis. The project will also assist MGCA develop a program to bring brokers in compliance with current Mongolian customs laws and international norms.