Ethiopia’s law making body, House of Peoples Representatives’ (HPR), sent a draft custom bill to two of its standing committees; Budgetary and Finance Affairs Standing Committee and the Law and Justice Administration Affairs Standing Committee.

According to Muferiat Kemil, Government Deputy Whip with the rank of State Minister, the need to amend the current customs bill, Proclamation 622/2001, arose from the need to modernize and conform the rules along with the current rapid economic growth while considering trade and
manufacturing sectors. In addition to this, she stated, the need to improve the customs service and monitoring mechanism called for the amendment.

Muferiat further noted the amendment will enhance swift custom services which in return will facilitate the import export trade especially in the manufacturing industry sector. In addition to this, it will help the service avoid limitations by applying modern and international standards.

The draft bill makes nine amendments to the current Proclamation.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald