Customs clearing agents have been advised to uphold highest standards of professionalism when executing their duties and avoid doing things contrary to what the law stipulates.
Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) deputy commissioner (business processing, engineering) Nicholas Kachawe said this on Friday at a certificate award ceremony of customs clearing agents who completed their four-month Customs Clearing Certificate Programme at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) in Blantyre.
“The expectation out there is that when we are collecting taxes, we have to be transparent and accountable for what we do,” he said.
“Now, the same should also be extended, not just to officers, but to those that deal with MRA and even beyond the business community.”
In a separate interview, Mubas’ Management Development Centre manager Dr. Ella Kangaude, said the idea behind the programme was to equip customs clearing agents with extensive knowledge; hence, MRA made it a requirement for customs clearing agents.
She said: “So, anyone who wants to practice, for the sake of good customer service delivery, MRA said if you don’t have a certificate from Mubas, Management Development Centre, you won’t practice or be registered.”
While praising Mubas’ MDC working relationship with MRA, Kangaude said the programme was at first a consultancy, but evolved to offer comprehensive learning for the customs clearing agents.
With its fourth cohort having completed the programme, Kangaude said customs clearing agents have immensely benefited, further hinting at a review of the programme to be consistent with current trends.
On her part, one of the customs clearing agents, Efrina Nyirongo Gondwe, who works for Africa Global Logistics, said the programme has equipped her with knowledge that will assist her carry out her duties in accordance with the law.
