Sars sets up Centre of Excellence

SA Revenue Service has

established a new division

– the ‘Centre of Excellence’

– whose objective is to

formulate strategies and

programmes to improve

operational processes and

to build capacity in line

with international customs

standards, initiatives and

best practice.

“Because the Customs

service is often the first

window through which

the rest of the world views

a country, and thus an

organisation, it also shapes

the perceptions of key

individuals and organisations

involved in making

important trade and foreign

investment decisions,” says

chief officer Customs and

Excise Jed Michaletos. “One

of my key focus areas as CO

will therefore be building

better capacity within

Customs & Excise.

Michaletos says Sars

is held in high regard

domestically and amongst its

peers internationally. “It is

important that this respect

is retained in order to attract

the much-needed trade and

foreign direct investment

(FDI) that South Africa

depends upon to help drive

economic growth.

“Internationally, the World

Customs Organisation

(WCO) recognises the

importance of capacity

building in customs

administrations and has

compiled a formal Customs

Capacity Building Strategy

covering a range of issues –

from processes to legislation

and technology services.”