By Phiwa Sikhondze
The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) has awarded Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certificates to three companies in the country.
The three companies are Usuthu Forest Products, Woolies Eswatini, and Montigny Investments. The companies received the certificates during the International Customs Day celebration held at the ERS Auditorium in Ezulwini.
The AEO is a programme that grants traders certain benefits and facilitations related to customs controls and procedures. The AEO programme establishes mutually beneficial relationships between traders and customs, offering them expedited clearance and reduced inspections at the border.
The AEO as a programme aims to improve compliance in trade, advancing a safe and secure import and export environment. The AEO programme is based on the standards and guidelines of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The ERS is the agency that implements the AEO programme in the country and works closely with the WCO and the WTO to promote and facilitate trade.
Usuthu Forest Products is a subsidiary of Montigny Investments, a forestry company that exports timber products to various markets. Woolies Eswatini is a subsidiary of Woolworths Holdings Limited, a South African retail group that operates in 11 countries in Africa and the Middle East. Woolies Eswatini offers a range of products, such as clothing, food, beauty, and homeware.
The Customs Director of ERS, Nhlanhla Ntjakala, congratulated the three companies for achieving the AEO status and urged them to maintain the standards and requirements of the program. He said that these companies have demonstrated high level of compliance and will enjoy the fruits of being fully accredited members of the AEO programme. Ntjakala encouraged other traders to apply for the AEO programme and enjoy the benefits and facilitations that it offers.
Receiving the certificates on behalf of Usuthu Forest Products and Montigny Investments, the Montigny Investments’ Tax Manager, Sebenele Madzingane, expressed his excitement on the recognition. He described the certificate as a diplomatic passport that will drive up the company’s’ international trade activities.
“This is a gold standard, it’s a diplomatic passport. One of our group companies in South Africa already has an AEO certification, so I know exactly what this is, I know benefits better. I hope that ERS will not be frustrating trade going forward because I know that this is my diplomatic passport now. For both companies, we deal with over 200 trucks that cross the border to South Africa on a daily basis and this equally the same as thise trucks that are coming in,” he said.