The Ethiopian Customs Commission announced it saved 380 billion Birr that the country risked losing to contraband and trade fraud in the 2018 budget year. Commissioner Dr. Debele Qabeta credited technology and reforms for the result.
Commissioner Dr. Debele Qabeta said the commission collected more than 738 billion Birr in duties from imported goods during the completed budget year. The agency applied various technologies to streamline trade and curb fraud.
It also seized contraband goods valued at 28.9 billion Birr. These included electronics, medicines, clothes, drugs, minerals and livestock.
Institutional reforms, technology upgrades and human resource development contributed significantly to the outcome. The commission is updating laws to align with international trade practices.
