The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) hosted the 23rd Annual Administrative Meeting of National Contact Points (NCPs) of the World Customs Organization Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for East and Southern Africa (WCO RILO ESA), from August 25-27 at the MRA Integrated Customs Clearance Centre (ICCC), Le Chaland Road, Plaine Magnien.
The meeting, themed “Collaboration & Intelligence-Led Vigilance: Our Commitment to a Safer Society,” has brought together participants hailing from RILO ESA member countries such as Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It poses itself as a valuable forum for Customs administrations to exchange intelligence, share operational experience and deepen cooperation as part of efforts to tackle transnational crime.
Over a span of three days, participants discussed ways to strengthen regional intelligence cooperation, to help improve information-sharing mechanisms and coordinate responses in the wake of emerging threats. National Contact Points are also sharing best practices and identifying new avenues for collaboration to support more agile and effective Customs enforcement across the region.
In his keynote address, Financial Secretary and Chief Guest Anandsing Acharuz underscored the importance of intelligence sharing in responding to cross-border threats that are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected. “Hosting the 23rd meeting in Mauritius exemplifies our unwavering commitment to regional cooperation. Mauritius’s prosperity is intrinsically linked to the stability and economic security of the entire region,” he added.
Acharuz has put this need for cooperation within the context of the region’s broader drive towards economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). He also insisted that the objective is clear: To make trade among nations faster, more affordable and seamless.
On the other hand, the Director-General of the MRA, Rohit Ramnawaz recalled that the jurisdiction has earlier hosted the 9th RILO ESA NCP Meeting in 2009 and the 16th Meeting in 2019. This year constitutes the third time the country has hosted the important regional forum, he stressed.
Referring to this year’s WCO theme, “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment,” the Director-General at MRA stated that it aptly encapsulates the vital role of Customs in safeguarding communities. He emphasised that protecting society extends well beyond enforcement and constitutes a shared responsibility requiring vigilance, agility, resilience, timely intelligence-sharing and sustained international cooperation.
The significance of such a collaboration was also stressed, as he referred to the exchange of intelligence between the French and Mauritius authorities, which led to drug seizures in both Mauritius and Réunion Island last year. As organised criminal networks continue to evolve and adopt increasingly sophisticated methods, Customs administrations must remain responsive to emerging threats and strengthen collective action, the MRA head added.
