December 2010 Monthly Report - Eng - Frp2.org

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OBJECTIVE FIVE: INCREASED EFFICIENCY IN TRADING ACROSS BORDERS Component D, Customs and Trade Facilitation, implements activities related not only to Customs, but across all areas related to trade and the trade process in Jordan. The following tasks and activities were undertaken during December 2010 in support of the fifth project objective: Activity 1: IT Support Jordan Customs (JC) has developed a number of automated in-house financial systems. Many of these systems were developed more than twenty years ago and the technology used is obsolete, which makes it very difficult – if not impossible – for integration with modern systems such as ASYCUDA and GFMIS, which are web-enabled and heavily dependent on JAVA language. After consultation between the component team and JC IT directorate, the conclusion was reached that most cost-efficient and sustainable approach to enhancing JC’s automated IT financial system capacity should combine mentoring and skills transfer. This approach should have a more sound impact and will meet current JC requirements and future aspirations. STTA JAVA Advisor, Jalal Kiswani, provides support to the JC IT Directorate in training, mentoring, and JAVA skills transfer. He will also focus over the coming ten months on developing a standardized approach to the workflows related to software development. His relative longevity with the project enables us to respond to the needs of the JC IT directorate consistently over the coming year. Throughout the year, the formal JAVA training undertaken during Year 1 of the project will be enhanced through its practical application, with assistance from Mr. Kiswani. Activity 2: Jordan Single Window Data Set Version Two The Jordan Single Window Data Set (JSWDS) Version 1 was successfully concluded during Year 1 of the project. Version 1 consists of trade-related data for JC, Ministry of Agriculture, Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization and Jordan Food and Drug Administration, and was developed in accordance with the World Customs Organization (WCO) Data Model. Almost immediately after the conclusion of Version 1, STTAs Bill Nolle and Karen Henderson returned and the Customs Component began the development of JSWDS Version 2. This version will include, in addition to V1 data, data related to the Ministry of Environment, Jordan Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. Once concluded, this will bring the total number of agencies which are able to use one comprehensive set of data for trade transactions to seven. On December 15, 2010, a first draft of JSWDS Version 2 was presented to and discussed with all Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) and their feedback and comments were taken into account. A final version of the Version 2 data set will be concluded during February 2011. During January, JC staff Jalal Al-Qudah and Hanan Al-Muhtaseb will attend the WCO data conference in Brussels, where they will present Version 1 of the JSWDS. It is anticipated that the WCO will adopt the JSWDS Version 1 as the definitive Arabic version. Activity 3: Memorandum of understanding for Jordan Single Window As work on the Jordan Single Window (JSW) continues to gather momentum, especially within the fields of data harmonization and IT, it has become necessary to formalize the work related to the administration and exchange of data among all participating PGAs. This will be achieved through a MOU to be signed between JC and each PGA under the JSW umbrella. A draft template for the MOU was provided to JC during drafting, care being taken to reflect the special needs of all signatories. The first draft was completed in December and is currently under review by the Jordan Customs Working Group. All concerned parties will review the document next, to be followed by formal signature. Each step in this cooperative process among JC and PGAs enhances trade facilitation here in Jordan. USAID-funded Fiscal Reform II Project Monthly Report December 2010 17
Activity 4: Jordan Customs KAA Mentors certified JC continues to embrace the ethos of excellence embodied in the King Abdullah II Award scheme. Recently two officers, Mohammad Awad and Mohammad Anaswah, attended and passed the KAA mentorship training course. As a result of this course the officers were approved to attend the next level of training as KACE certified assessors. FRP II and Component D are delighted to be able to facilitate this training and the officers have been duly registered. Good luck to them both! Activity 5: Risk Management Units established in Partner Government Agencies The risk management concept was embraced by JC several years ago and it is a proven, effective tool to maximize use of available resources, strengthen controls and, at the same time, facilitate trade transactions. Studies concluded by Component D during 2010 found that to maximize the benefits of risk management, all PGAs involved in trade transactions need to fully embrace the concept. In line with and linked to the current work being undertaken by Component D in the areas of data harmonization and SW, the next logical step is the harmonization of risk criteria for all PGAs involved with the SW initiative. MOA, JSMO and JFDA were invited to establish Risk Management Units within their respective administrations. JFDA and JSMO have officially taken action in this regard and now include risk management units within their organizations. The MOA is currently considering the situation will likely formalize a unit in January 2011. Component D and JC will commence training early in 2011 for the PGAs, assisting them to embed their units and to gain a better understanding of setting and monitoring risk criteria. Activity 6: Recognition for ongoing commitment from Jordan Customs Working Group Component D works closely with the Jordan Customs Working Group to implement all FRP II Workplan activities and to ensure that FRP II work complements and supports the priorities of Jordan Customs. Members of the Working Group are: Deputy Director General / Amin Qudah HE DG Advisor / Eng. Mahmoud Wafa Head of Planning Directorate / Zakaria Al-Hamore Head of Communication Directorate / Dr. Areef Al-Fetiane Head of Risk Management / Eng. Jalal Al-Qudah Head of Financial Affairs / Dr. Mohammad Anaswah Head of Public Relations Directorate / Tayser Younis Head of IT Directorate / Eng. Ahmad Al-Alem Project Liaison Officer / Mr. Ahmad Al-Rawagfa USAID-funded Fiscal Reform II Project Monthly Report December 2010 18
Page 1 and 2: N JORDAN FISCAL REFORM PROJECT II M
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS ........
Page 5 and 6: KACE King Abdullah II Center for Ex
Page 7 and 8: OBJECTIVE ONE: IMPROVED EFFICIENCY
Page 9 and 10: of the Audit Bureau, and met with A
Page 11 and 12: OBJECTIVE TWO: RESULTS-ORIENTED GOV
Page 13 and 14: OBJECTIVE THREE: ENHANCED REVENUE M
Page 15 and 16: Activity 4: Double Taxation Avoidan
Page 17 and 18: examine the needs of each criterion
Page 19 and 20: Activity 3: Continuing Support to S
Page 21: conducted financial analyses as fir

December 2010 Monthly Report - Eng - Frp2.org

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