The 1994 **Lebanon** Revenue Enhancement Project, also aimed to strengthen customs procedures and management. The project financed reforms of customs procedures and the installation and commissioning of ASYCUDA++, as well as its translation into Arabic with the involvement of IJNCTAD in preparation and implementation. The work done in Lebanon, benefitedJordan which adopted the same system. The design and rationale of this project was independent of Government commitment or t decisions with respect to tariff reform as it was felt to be justified in its own right.

The 1996 Financial Sector Management Project in Turkey (see also Box 7), contained an important customs component aimed at shifting from ex ante, full coverage cargo examination to a more ex post and efficiency seeking stance. The project is relying heavily on training and the implementation of the SOFIX system for computerization of the customs procedures. French technical assistance has been crucial in adapting this system to the Turkish requirements and the IMF manages major aspects of the project.

# **_Trade Faciflaton_**

The 1993 Tax Computerization Project for the Philippinesaimed to provide faster and more reliable administration of revenues and in the process, facilitate private sector activities. For customs administration it focused on the computerization of the customs clearance process, involving brokers, importers and customs authorities. While its primary aim is to ensure reliable revenue generation, emphasis is being given to easing the administrative burden of the private sector from -often arbitrary - government interference. Crown Agents, selected though competitive bidding, worked with the Ministry of Finance and of the Bureau of Customs on the strategic plan and implementation of the modernization program. The IMF had extended substantial technical assistance in the areas of revenue procedures and institutional strengthening. With UNCTAD assistance , the ASYCUDA-H system for customs was refined to accommodate the specific Philippines requirements and was complemented with additional modules, while a private firm was hired to supply the required computer equipment and communication system. Observers suggest that these adjustments and development efforts have greatly contributed to making ASYCUDA++ a more versatile instrument for customs administration, and have benefited more recent adopters of the ASYCUDA++ system such as Lebanon and Jordan.

The **Ghana** project is an integral part of reforms required to reach Ghana's ambition to become a first class trade and investment center on the West African coast. The project --called the Gateway project-aims at improving the infrastructure of the maritime ports and the airport, establish Free Trade Zones under private sector operators, and streamline immigration procedures for investors and tourists. But foremost, the project aims at assisting Governmen **t** o bringing the Customs and Excises Department up to the standards of the International Chamber of Commerce and ISO 9000. Again, Crown Agents was selected, after a competitive bidding process, to help the Customs Departinen **t** o identify shortcomings of the Departnent and frame a reform program. From this followed the action program that aimed at (i) ! reducing to one the number of examination points and streamlining cargo documentation, (ii) reduce cargo examination from<sup>1</sup> 00<sup>0</sup> /o to I<sup>00</sup> /o for statutory free goods and<sup>2</sup> 00/a for all dutiable goods (iii) adopt the WTO valuation system, (iv) reduce the number of overland customs check points, and (v) start a specialized customs unit to facilitate the operation of export processing zones. The project will finance a business plan that streamlines clearance processes so as to reduce the clearance time for import and export cargo, re-equips and installs an adequate information technology infrastructure, and trains customs officials in these new procedures, including those for free trade zones. The Project will be accompanied by substantia **l** ong-term assistance as well as short-term technical assistance in a number of specialized areas.

IThis box is summarized from Luc De Wulf (1999) Trade Policies and Customs Operations: World Bank Interest, processed, Washington D.C: The World Bank.

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