An agreement to improve trade administration between China and South Africa was signed by South African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Pravin Gordhan and Chinese Minister of Customs, Mu Xinsheng, in Pretoria on Friday.
”As customs administrators we both have to ensure well-administrated trade between our countries,” Gordhan said.
The agreement provides Sars and the General Administration of Customs of China with the legal framework to work together, setting up an annual meeting between customs officials of the two countries, and seeing the exchange of customs attaches at the respective diplomatic missions.
Gordhan said the agreement also made provision for the establishment of an IT-link between the two countries on which information given to the two authorities by traders could be exchanged.
”It would help us combat smuggling in a significant way,” Gordhan said.
China is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners, being the eighth largest destination for exports and second largest source of South African imports.
South Africa would also get technical assistance from China to improve its customs systems.
Sars was looking at sourcing new custom scanners, appointing more custom officials and modernising its electronic system.
”I hope that cooperation between China customs and Sars will help us get there sooner rather than later,” Gordhan said. — Sapa