Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) on Tuesday signed a financing agreement worth USD1.57 Million to upgrade Electronic Single Window and Authorized Economic Operator. Project is part of TMEA’s USD 53Million programming in Rwanda and will focus on adoption of new technologies and inclusion of other trade agencies in a digital platform. This marks the start of the second phase of the Rwanda Electronic Single Window (RESW). The second phase will focus on adoption of new technologies to spearhead customs reforms and modernization. It will be marked by various upgrades which will be implemented up until June 2022.   This support from TMEA is part of the USD 53 Million agreement signed in the MOU between TMEA and the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.  The funding to RRA is being provided by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) through TMEA. Upgrading of RESW will include upgrade of the Customs Management System (ASYCUDA World); digitalization of the management and administration of the Authorized Economic Operators Scheme (AEO); Implementation of the Single Transaction Point and Single Sign On features on the Rwanda Electronic Single Window (ReSW);implementation of the Cargo Community System to support Air Cargo business at Kigali International Airport; digitalization of the Advance Ruling process of Customs; digitalization of Advance Passenger Information System; and digitalization of the Special Economic Zones Management and Administration. Combined, these projects will enable RRA establish a true paperless trade environment in Rwanda. It will enhance its ability to network globally with other customs administrations and the trading Community. During the signing ceremony held at RRA Headquarters in Kigali, the Commissioner General of RRA, Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwali said, “The cooperation between RRA and TMEA has enabled the institution to improve on endeavours to accomplish its mandate in international trade. It has enabled us ensure compliance with international trade laws and regimes. The better controls we have adopted means we are well placed to facilitate goods and commodities coming into and leaving Rwanda while protecting Rwandan and East African citizens. As a result of various projects we have recorded an improvement in revenue collection that is critical in supporting government development programmes.” Several benefits will emanate from the upgrades, including: improving economic operators’ cooperation and coordination with RRA; improving the RRA customs systems capacity to integrate and share information with other international trade agencies within and outside Rwanda, particularly in the Single Customs Territory initiative of the EAC. It will also improve governance of customs systems and procedures, by enhancing transparency and accountability among trade actors. Patience Mutesi, the TMEA Rwanda Country Director said that; “TMEA has been a long partner of RRA and we intend to continue this relationship in our second phase of funding.  TMEA would like to see RRA achieve its mandate in the country, and ensure that the trade environment in Rwanda becomes more competitive and attractive to investors from around the world.  Ultimately our goal is, through such programmes, to contribute to the improvement of the welfare of the Rwandan and East African people by increasing trade.  This programme will improve our international traders’ access to better services from RRA, improved transparency and reduce their cost of doing business in the country.  TMEA is glad to be associated with RRA in this initiative and we shall also provide technical support to the programme where necessary to ensure that we deliver the results that we have set out to achieve for the country.”