Newer software helps iron out border glitches

There seems to be a move in the direction of web-based software from Africa’s revenue authorities and this can streamline the declaration process, says Easyclear managing director, Michael Henning. He told FTW that the move to ASYWORLD, a web-based version of the existing ASYCUDA + software, boded well for trade facilitation into Africa as many of the previous technical issues appeared to have been addressed in the newer versions. “The newer versions also integrate with third-party software like Easyclear and we are looking to capitalise on the introduction of ASYWORLD within the BNLS (Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland), with longer-term plans for countries further afield,” said Henning. Benefits of the new system include a seamless exchange of information and faster turnaround times, with a full audit trail of paperwork and better visibility from a tracking perspective across the supply chain, he noted. Henning said that the biggest challenge to doing business in Africa, from a software provider perspective, was finding the right people to talk to within revenue authorities with regard to any systems integration. “Some are noticeably better than others but as a whole it has been challenging when it comes to the technical aspects of developing software integration to be able to communicate electronically, as we currently do with the South African Revenue Service via EDI,” he said. As Africa grows increasingly important as a global market it has become more and more part of Easyclear’s strategy to diversify and grow revenue with products that can add value for their clients, including integration within the supply chain and adding brokerage modules where possible, noted Henning. He said that while interest was growing internationally, intra- African trade was also increasing. “I believe that the economic growth in Africa will push development through naturally. Though, of course, much can be done to facilitate the growth by optimising the supply chain. And information technology has a crucial role to play in this,” said Henning. INSERT & CAPTION The biggest challenge to doing business in Africa is finding the right people to talk to within revenue authorities. – Michael Henning