Tag / Tallinn

by Mike Poverello

Interfront – Customs know-how and software

Forgive my exuberance and national pride, for one minute. After some years of intense re-organisation and strategization a new dynamic organization is set to spearhead ICT development in the Customs and Border Management industry. Many will know it by its previous name TATIS or TATIScms. The Cape Town based IT outfit is responsible for the intuitive customs software solution which currently operates in Luxembourg Customs. Let it be known that this is one tough space to operate and succeed in.

Africa, in particular, has  suffered the stigma of UN and World Bank ‘freebies’ by way of customs automated solutions – designed and developed by the west, on western philosophy with little concern for the longer term sustainability and development on the African continent. Before the emergence of commercial Windows-based software, African states (and most developing countries for that matter) had little option but to adopt ASYCUDA. The French colonies in the main sought franco-developed SOFIX. Bull Computers were particularly strong in this space and received great support from the French government in their ventures.

Just as the ‘power’ of the west is waning under financial and political turmoil, so developmental states and economies are looking to their own resources and expertise to fulfil their needs and destinies. A similar phenomenon occurred in the border and port control security space during the first decade of the 21st century, where the Chinese have virtually stolen international market share in NII (Cargo scanning) equipment.  Therefore the emergence of InterFront on the Customs ICT scene is both unique and timely. For more details on the new company and its partners, solutions and expertise please visit their website: http://www.interfront.co.za. Also read their corporate and product profile brochure – click here!

This week, Interfront are show-casing their solution and expertise at the WCO‘s 2012 ICT Conference in Tallinn, Estonia. With the international customs and border management relatively young and seeking stability, Interfront have a great opportunity to develop a regional and international footprint. SARS, in particular, looks forward to its new integrated customs solution; setting a new bench mark in global customs processing.

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by Mike Poverello

2012 WCO IT Conference and Exhibition opens in Estonia

The World Customs Organization (WCO) announced the successful opening of its 2012 IT Conference and Exhibition in Tallinn, Estonia which will run from 6-8 June 2012 with the theme: ” IT Transforms Core Business for Customs and its Stakeholders”.

The VIP opening ceremony included a special video welcoming speech by the President of the Republic of Estonia, H.E. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, and addresses by the Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya, and the Director General of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, Marek Helm, co-hosts of the event.

This 11th WCO IT Conference and Exhibition which dates back to 2002 is the most important IT event on the international Customs calendar, allowing senior Customs executives from over 100 countries to meet with top trade representatives and solution providers in order to consider today’s business challenges as well as modern IT developments.

Gathering over 500 delegates together, the 2012 Conference will focus on “the Customs administration of the future” and includes a wide range of leading speakers from the Government and private sectors who will expand on the main theme of the event.

A dynamic IT exhibition complements the Conference, enabling various global systems aimed at maximum effectiveness and efficiency in modern Customs innovation to be displayed and demonstrated to participants.Source: WCO

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