On September 21, 2018, the disciples of SAINT MATTHIEU of BENIN celebrated their employers' feast through festivities.

Sports activities, religious cults, communications and reflection sessions punctuated the three (03) days of festivities.

This year's edition received a special note through the days « Open doors ». These days provided an opportunity for exchange and information on everything that is being done within the Benin Customs Administration with the public.

It is through a great health march, led by the Director General, the Colonel of Customs Charles Inousa SACCA BOCO that the festivities started on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

The continuation of the chronogram of activities devoted a Catholic Mass of thanksgiving, preceded the eve of an endogenous and Muslim cult.

Among other things, the disciples of Saint MATTHIEU were given sports activities through a football match between officers and non-commissioned officers; exchange and sharing sessions on service delivery, as well as a communication on leadership presented by the CEO of the Cabinet GG Consulting.

The Director General of Customs, in his address of the day, addressed the flagship reforms initiated by the Administrationas part of its modernisation. This is particularly the case with the support of International Monetary Fund (IMF) namely:

• The establishment of an approved Economic Operator (OAS) programme;
• The establishment of a quality management system;
• Implementation of the intranet;
• Strengthening customs controls, including post-clearance checks;
• Strengthening trade facilitation on advance rulings;
• Preparation of a practical guide to customs duties and taxes.

Secondly, he discussed the reforms undertaken with the technical partners WEBB FONTAINE and BENIN CONTROL SA namely:

• Institutional and computer reforms;
• The creation of a Single Window for External Trade (GUCE);
• Control of Customs Value through the issuance of Documentary Verification Certificates (AVDs);
• Electronic tracking of used vehicles;
• Tracking of goods in transit;
• Scanning the goods.

With regard to the other reforms, the Beninese Customs Administration has successfully completed the monitoring audit which it has undergone and which was led by the Cabinet DEKRA, Certificater based in France. This audit allowed our Administration to migrate from the ISO 9001 version: 2008 in ISO 9001 version; 2015.

All these reforms will certainly further improve the performance of the Customs Administration by better taking over goods, reducing the length of stay of goods and limiting customs fraud.

The festivities ended with a great recreational evening, enhanced by the presence of the Authorities of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Military High Command, the former Directors General, as well as a strong delegation from the Nigerian Customs Administration colleagues.