In the presence of all the Central Technical Directors, Departmental Directors and Recipients of the five (05) main units of the Beninese Customs Administration, the information and awareness-raising session of customs officials on the implementation of institutional and computer reforms was held at the CODIR Hall of the General Directorate of Customs and Indirect Rights on Wednesday, 18 October 2017, with the participation of the Heads of the WEBB FONTAINE Group, responsible for assisting the Customs Administration in the implementation of these reforms.
Indeed, the broad guidelines of the Government's Action Programme 2016-2021 are based on three (03) major pillars: consolidating democracy, the rule of law and good governance (pillar 1), initiating the structural transformation of the economy (pillar 2) and improving the living conditions of the people (pillar 3).
Through Pillar 2, the government of President Patrice Athanase Guillaume TALON is committed to implementing the necessary structural reforms in order to strengthen the public financial management system and improve the business climate in Benin. The consolidation of the financial authorities, the government's motivation for the breakup, requires the establishment of a new environment generating economic dynamism.
Thus, at its meeting on 27 September 2017, the Council of Ministers approved the implementation of the project on institutional and computer reforms, including the creation of a Single External Trade Window (GUCE), the components of which are as follows:
Institutionally:
• Dematerialization, unification of different information systems;
• Development, capacity building of services and structural reforms;
• Improving internal communication;
• The adaptation of procedures to a modern and constantly changing environment.
The major innovations expected from this institutional reform are:
• The reorganization of the Directorate-General for Customs and Indirect Rights;
• The preparation of detailed job descriptions and services;
• Implementation of performance indicators and contracts;
• Reengineering of procedures with a view to computerisation;
• The taking over and securing of goods;
• Strengthening deferred and post-retirement services;
• Management of approved economic operators;
• Technical upgrading of public entities (connection to the Single Window of External Trade) etc.

Information technology:
• The establishment of a Single External Trade Window;
• Dematerialization of customs clearance procedures;
• Training and skills transfer;
• Electronic payment;
• Remittance management;
• The creation of an interface between the Single Window for External Trade (GUCE) and the IT system for tax services;
• The establishment of a Single Administrative Window.
For the operationalization and success of these reforms, adequate management structures are foreseen.
It is in this sense that the Director General of Customs and Indirect Rights set up by memo No. 3527/DGDDI/DBP of 19 October 2017, a standing technical committee to support the WEBB FONTAINE group in the implementation of these reforms.
At the end of the exchange and information session, the Director General of Customs and Indirect Rights instructed all Departmental Directors to raise awareness and inform all colleagues in their respective departments about the implementation of these reforms through various communications and to work tirelessly for its success.