NEWS FROM JICA CUSTOMS PROJECT - Kenya Revenue Authority

Vol. 1 (Effective from March 2010 to February 2011) 

NEWS FROM 

JICA CUSTOMS PROJECT 

Group Photo with Project Members 

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Project Members 

1. Mrs. Wambui Namu, Commissioner CSD, KRA 

2. Mr. Masaharu Shimoya, Chief Advisor 

3. Mr. Jonah Cheruiyot, DC, Projects, CSD, KRA 

4. Mrs. Susan Wanjohi, SAC, Projects, CSD, KRA 

5. Ms. Patricia Kamau, Projects, CSD, KRA 

6. Mr. Allan Morgan, Administrative Assistant, KRA 

7. Mr. Antony Munguti, IT Consultant 

8. Mr. Shoji, Maeda, Senior Advisor 

9. Mr. Billy Ngumi, Projects, CSD, KRA 

10. Mrs. Yoko Konishi, Project Coordinator 

11. Mr. Takao Iwai, Advisor 

12. Kazuyo Kaneko, Project Formulation Advisor, JICA Kenya Office 

1

Seminar on Compliance for Customs Clearing 

Agents in the Region 

Photo 1 

Group Discussion on Compliance 

with the Guidance of Mr. Haruyama, 

JICA Expert on Compliance 

Photo 2 

From February to March 2011, “Seminar 

on Compliance for the Customs 

Clearing Agents” was held in the main 

cities of all the countries in the region, 

except for Uganda due to the logistical 

reason, as one of the focal activities of 

JICA Customs Project for the purpose 

of capacity building of Customs 

Clearing Agents in the region. 

The series of seminars were given to the 

top managements of Customs Clearing 

Agent companies. 

Mr. Haruyama, JICA expert on 

Compliance, gave his guidance to bring 

in compliance rules at the case study 

session. 

Group Discussion on Compliance 

with the Guidance of Mr. Haruyama 

and the Facilitation of Mr. Maeda, 

JICA Expert on Customs Clearing 

Agents 

2

Bench Marking Study at Malaysia Customs 

From 27 to 5 March 2011, the members of Working Group (W/G) and Management 

Unit (M/U) of Master Trainers Programme, which is sponsored by JICA Customs 

Project, exercised the “Bench Marking Study (BMS) at Malaysia Customs”. 

The purposes of the BMS are 

• To acquire valuable information, skills and techniques on human resource 

development, human resource management and training by Malaysia Customs 

• To learn how the effective training courses, including international training 

courses, are managed and conducted by Malaysia Customs Training Institute 

(AKMAL), which is one of the most active WCO Regional Training Centres in the 

world 

The results of their BMS were reported to the top managements of the respective 

Customs administrations in the region. 

Photo 1 

Photo 2 

Lunch Meeting with Top Managements of 

Malaysia Customs at HQs 

Photo 3 Photo 4 

Study on Malaysia Customs at Pavilion 

in HQs 

Welcome Speech by Director of AKMAL Group Photo at AKMAL 3

Cont’d, Bench Marking Study at Malaysia Customs 

Photo 5 

Photo 6 

Field Study on AKMAL 

Photo 7 

Discussion with Officers at AKMAL 

Photo 8 





Certificate Award at the End of BMS 

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Delegates from Ghana Revenue Authority 

to JICA Customs Project Office 

Photo 1 

Briefing on JICA Customs Project by 

Mr. Shinji Urakawa, Chief Advisor, 

JICA Customs Project 

Photo 2 

On 11 March 2011, JICA Customs 

Project received a visit by 5 delegates 

from Ghana Revenue Authority, headed 

by Mr. Anthony Minlah, Commissioner 

Customs. 

At this occasion, Mr. Shinji Urakawa, 

Chief Advisor, overviewed the various 

activities of JICA Customs Project. 

After that, they exchanged their 

opinions regarding the trade facilitation 

and capacity development of Customs 

administrations and Customs officials in 

the region . 

In their opinion exchange, the Ghana 

delegation showed their great interest in 

possible support for Ghana Revenue 

Authority by JICA. 

Opinion Exchange with the 

Delegates from Ghana Revenue 

Authority, headed by Mr. Anthony 

Minlah, Commissioner Customs 

(The 2nd from Right) 

5

Border Coordinating Committee Meeting 

at Malaba 

Photo 1 

Remarks by DCs Enforcement of 

KRA and URA 

Photo 2 

Progress Report by KRA Station 

Manager at Malaba 

Photo 3 

On 15 February 2011, Border 

Coordinating Committee (BCC) Meeting 

was held at Malaba, with the 

participants from Customs of both 

Kenya and Uganda. This meeting was 

subsequently held to the SEOs 

meetings, held in October and 

November 2010. In this meeting, DCs 

Enforcement of KRA and URA stressed 

the importance of combating smuggling 

in order for the trade facilitation with the 

support of OSBP operations in the 

future. The participants discussed for 

further strengthening the cooperation 

and tightening the border control in the 

region through Joint Border 

Surveillance, which JICA Customs 

Project has been supporting. They 

agreed that OGAs would join from the 

next. 

Photo 4 

Progress Report by URA Station 

Manager at Malaba 

Group Discussion 

6

OSBP ICT Systems (RTMS/CCS) Sensitization 

Meeting at URA HQs in Kampala 

Photo 1 

Presentation by ICT Consultant of 

JICA Customs Project 

Photo 2 

Presentation by Advisor of JICA 

Customs Project 

Photo 3 

On 27 April 2011, OSBP ICT Systems 

(RTMS/CCS) Sensitization Meeting was 

held at URA HQs in Kampala with the 

participants from not only Customs, but 

also Immigration, Police, Bureau of 

Standard, Agriculture and Customs 

agents in Uganda. The purposes of the 

meeting were (1) to sensitize the 

concept of OSBP and the functions of 

RTMS/CCS, (2) to share the current 

progress and the future plan of the 

implementation of RTMS/CCS at the 

borders in the region, and (3) to garner 

the cooperation from OGAs for the 

rollout of RTMS/CCS at Malaba and 

Busia borders, which is planned to 

begin in May 2011. After the 

presentation by JICA Customs Project, 

the very affirmative discussion was 

made followed by the expression of the 

future cooperation from OGAs. 

Photo 4 

Discussion 

Meeting Scene 

7

The 4th Activity of Master Trainers Programme for 

HS Working Group at RRA Training Institute 

In Butare, Rwanda 

Photo 1 

18 Trainers from Master Trainers Programme and 24 Trainees from RRA and Customs 

Clearing Agents Association just before the Training Course on HS Classification at RRATI 

in Butare, Rwanda 

JICA Customs Project held the 4th Activity of Master Trainers Programme 

(MTP) for HS Classification (HS) Working Group (W/G) from 11 to 20 May 

2011 at RRATI in Butare, Rwanda. 

The main purpose of the 4th Activity is that all 18 members of HS W/G, 

who have been permanently attached on 2-year MTP from each Customs 

of KRA, OBR, RRA, TRA and URA, conduct their training course as the 

trainers to the trainees from RRA and Customs Clearing Agents 

Association in Rwanda. Totally 24 trainees gathered for the 4-day HS 

Classification Training Course from 16 to 19 May 2011. 

18 members of HS W/G, in the next 1 year, will become Master Trainers 

on HS Classification, and work as Mobile Resource Persons conducting 

their seminars/workshops to the Customs officers and Customs Clearing 

Agents, who are working at the borders, seaports and airports in the 

region. 

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HS Working Group at RRA Training Institute 

in Butare, Rwanda 

Photo 1 

Photo 2 

Lecture by WCO Technical Officer to 

HS W/G members 

Photo 3 

Facilitation by Japanese Expert before the 

Training Course of HS W/G members 

Photo 4 

Training Course delivered by HS W/G 

member 


Training Course delivered by HS W/G 

member 

Closing Remarks by Commissioner for 

Customs of RRA 

Wrap-up Session among HS W/G 

members 

9

Delegates from Ethiopia Revenue & Customs 

Authority to JICA Customs Project Office 

Photo 1 

Mr. Shinji Urakawa (Left end) 

Chief Advisor of JICA Customs Project 

Mr. Sisay Sahle (Right in the middle) 

Team Coordinator 

Foreign Assistance & Resource Mobilization 

Ethiopia Revenue & Customs Authority 

Mr. Aregay Gesreeziabher (Right end) 

Team Coordinator 

Border Management & Contraband Contract 

Ethiopia Revenue & Customs Authority 

Ms. Ebby Khaguli (Left in the middle) 

Coordinator of this visit 

Senior Assistance Commissioner 

Kenya Revenue Authority 

On 26 May 2011, JICA Customs 

Project received a visit by 2 

delegates from Ethiopia Revenue 

& Customs Authority (ERCA). 

At this occasion, Mr. Shinji 

Urakawa, Chief Advisor, 

overviewed the various activities 

of JICA Customs Project. 

After that, they exchanged their 

opinions regarding the trade 

facilitation and capacity 

development of Customs 

administrations and Customs 

officials in the region . 

In their opinion exchange, they 

showed their great interest in the 

possible support for ERCA by 

JICA. 

10

Donation of 3 Projectors to Customs Services 

Department of KRA by JICA Customs Project 

Photo 1 

On 6 June 2011, JICA Customs 

Project donated 3 Projectors to 

Customs Services Department of 

KRA. Senior management officials, 

headed by Mrs. Wambui Namu, 

Commissioner CSD, attended the 

donation ceremony, held in Times 

Tower. At the ceremony, Mr. Shinji 

Urakawa, Chief Advisor of JICA 

Customs Project, expressed his 

expectation that the Projectors 

would be fully utilized within the 

organization, especially by the 

Working Group Members of the 

Master Trainers Programme. Mrs. 

Wambui Namu thanked for the 

donation of the Projectors and 

promised their full utilization. 

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Water Coordinating Committee Meeting 

in Kisumu, Kenya 

Photo 1 

Opening Ceremony 

Photo 2 

On 7 June 2011, Water Coordinating 

Committee (WCC) Meeting was held at 

Kisumu, with the participants from 

Customs of Kenya, Tanzania and 

Uganda and Immigration, Police, KEBS 

and KEPHIS of Kenya. In this meeting, 

the participants shared their experience 

and challenges of the operations on 

Lake Victoria, raised in the past a half 

year. Amongst the challenges were the 

cost of the operations and the timely 

communication among the stakeholders. 

They made various recommendations to 

these challenges and agreed to feed 

back them to the ground operations. 

They agreed to have a subsequent 

meeting in September 2011. 

Progress Report 

Photo 3 

Photo 4 

Discussion 

Discussion 

12

Support to and Cooperation with OBR 

Photo 1 

Donation of Projectors to OBR 

Photo 2 

Discussion with CG, Commissioner 

and their staffs 

Photo 3 

On 30 June 2011, Mr. Takao Iwai, the 

Advisor of JICA Customs Project, had a 

courtesy call to Mr. Kieran Holmes, the 

Commissioner General of OBR and Mr. 

Joseph Ndarishikanye, the 

Commissioner for Customs and Excise 

Department of OBR. 

They discussed the issues of the 

upcoming activities of Master Trainers 

Programme (MTP) in August in Burundi 

to be hosted by OBR. On this occasion, 

JICA Customs Project donated 3 sets of 

Projectors to OBR in order for the 

members of MTP in OBR to conduct 

their seminars and workshops to their 

trainees of Customs officers and 

Customs agents in Burundi, which will 

take place with OBR’s own initiative. 

In addition, they discussed a possibility 

to implement Joint Border Surveillance 

(JBS) at a border in Burundi. They 

agreed to start its preparation at 

Kobero/Kabanga, a border between 

Burundi and Tanzania, in close 

collaboration with TRA. 

Discussion with CG, Commissioner 

and their staffs 

13

The 2nd Border Coordinating Committee Meeting 

at Namanga 

Photo 1 

Group photo 

Photo 2 

Meeting in progress 

The 2nd Border Coordinating 

Committee (BCC) Meeting was 

held at Namanga on 5th August 

2011, with the participants from 

not only Customs but also OGAs, 

such as Police, Immigration, 

Bureau of Standard, Quarantine, 

etc of both Kenya and Tanzania. 

This meeting was held 

subsequently to the 1st Meeting 

held on last February 2011. 

In this meeting, the participants 

reviewed the results of the 

operations in the past 6 months 

and discussed the issues to be 

addressed in the next operations, 

such as insufficient coordination 

among the agencies, insufficient 

cooperation from the business 

sectors and local residents, lack 

of the public awareness on their 

responsibilities. 

14

The Special Activity of Master Trainers Programme 

for Intelligence Analysis Working Group in 

Bujumbura, Burundi 

Photo 1 

Mr. Charles Ndorimana, Commissioner Investigation & Intelligence, 

Mr. Joseph Ndarishikanye, Commissioner Customs & Excise, 

Mr. Masaharu Shimoya, Chief Advisor, JICA Customs Project, 

Mr. Takao Iwai, Advisor, JICA Customs Project, 

14 IA W/G members from 5 EAC member coutnries, and 

26 OBR Customs officers at the photo session 

JICA Customs Project held the Special Activity of Master Trainers 

Programme (MTP) for Intelligence (IA) Working Group (W/G) from 14 to 19 

August 2011 in Bujumbura, Burundi. 

The main purpose of the Special Activity is to give the training course on 

the Intelligence Analysis to the trainees of the OBR Customs officers 

through which trainers of IA W/G members can improve their training 

skills as the future Master Trainers not only in their own countries but 

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also in the entire region.

The Special Activity of Master Trainers Programme 

for Intelligence Analysis Working Group in 

Bujumbura, Burundi 

Photo 1 

Photo 2 

Lecture by OBR IA W/G member 

Photo 3 

Lecture by OBR IA W/G member 

Photo 4 

Case Study by Trainees of OBR Customs 

Officers 



Officers 


Officers 


Officers 

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Customs Valuation Working Group in Bujumbura, 

Burundi 

Photo 1 

Mr. Joseph Ndarishikanye, Commissioner Customs & Excise of OBR, 

Mr. Masaharu Shimoya and Mr. Takao Iwai, Experts of JICA Customs Project, 

Mr. Tsuyoshi Togoe and Mr. Shingo Tanagami, Experts of Japan Customs, 

Trainers of 17 CV WG Members from 5 Customs in the region, and 

Trainees of 40 Customs Officers from OBR and 10 Customs Clearing agents in Burundi 


(MTP) for Customs Valuation (CV) Working Group (WG) from 24 August to 

2 September 2011 in Bujumbura, Burundi. 

The main purpose of the 4th Activity is that all 17 members of CV WG, 



trainers to the trainees from OBR and Customs Clearing Agents 

Association in Burundi. Totally 50 trainees attended the 4-day Customs 

Valuation Training Course from 29 August to 1 September 2011. 17


Customs Valuation Working Group in Bujumbura, 

Burundi 

Photo 1 

Photo 2 

Lecture by WCO Officer to future 

Master Trainers 

Photo 3 

Checks on training materials by 

trainers with Japanese experts 

Photo 4 

Consultative session by trainers just 

before their training course 


Training course to OBR Customs officers 

and agents in Burundi 

Case Study by trainees 

Presentation by trainees 

18

Meeting at OBR HQs and Field Study at 

Kobero/Kabanga Border jointly with OBR and TRA 

for Possible Rollout of JBS 

Photo 1 

Joint Meeting with OBR , TRA and 

JICA Customs Project for Possible 

JBS at Kobero/Kabanga 

Photo 2 

On 6 September 2011, Joint Meeting 

with OBR, TRA and JICA Customs 

Project took place at OBR HQs to 

discuss a possibility of rolling out the 

JBS at Kobero/Kabanga border. The 

meeting was hosted by Mr. Emile 

Sinzumusi, Deputy CG of OBR. They 

shared the information including the 

trade volume and smuggling trend. All 

agreed on the necessity of JBS at 

Kobero/Kabanga border to tackle the 

smuggling and revenue evasion. 

On 7 September 2011, the party carried 

out a field study at Kobero/Kabanga 

border where great amount of trade 

were observed and of smuggling were 

predicted through the porously 

stretching border. 

Kobero Border on Burundi Side 

Photo 3 

Photo 4 

Porous Border without no security 

measure 

Smuggling at Kobeo/Kabanga in 

Present in Front of the Party 

19

Meeting at RRA HQs and Field Study at 

Gatuna/Katuna Border jointly with RRA and URA 

for Possible Rollout of JBS 

Photo 1 

Joint Meeting with RRA, URA and JICA 

Customs Project for Possible JBS at 

Gatuna/Katuna 

Photo 2 

Noman’s Land between Gatuna and 

Katuna border 

Photo 3 

On 12 September 2011, Joint Meeting 

with RBR, URA and JICA Customs 

Project took place at RRA HQs to 

discuss a possibility of rolling out the 

JBS at Gatuna/Katuna border. They 

shared the information including the 

trade volume and smuggling trend. All 

agreed on the necessity of JBS at 

Gatuna/Katuna border to tackle the 

smuggling and revenue evasion. 

On 13 September 2011, the party carried 

out the field study at Gatuna/Katuna 

border where great amount of trade 

were observed and of smuggling were 

predicted through the porously 

stretching border. After the field study, 

Japanese experts paid a courtesy call 

on Mr. Richard Tusabe, Deputy 

Commissioner General & Commissioner 

Customs of RRA. 

Photo 4 

Smuggling at Gatuna/Katuna in Present 

in Front of the Party 

Courtesy Call on DCG & Commissioner 

Customs of RRA 

20


Intelligence Analysis Working Group in Dar es 

Salaam, Tanzania 

Photo 1 

Mr. Placidius Luoga, DCG of TRA, 

Mr. Abubakav Kunenge, Director Human Resource and Administration of TRA, 

Mr. Patrick Kisaka, Acting Commissioner Customs and Excise of TRA, 

Mr. Makoto Uchiyama and Ms. Rieko Shikimachi, Experts of Japan Customs, 

Mr. Masaharu Shimoya and Mr. Takao Iwai, Experts of JICA Customs Project, 

15 Future Master Trainers in the region and 20 TRA Trainees 


(MTP) for Intelligence Analysis (IA) Working Group (WG) from 21 to 30 

September 2011 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

The main purpose of the 4th Activity is that all 15 members of IA WG, who 

have been permanently attached on 2-year MTP from each Customs of 

KRA, OBR, RRA, TRA and URA, conduct their training course as the 

trainers to the TRA trainees. Totally 20 trainees attended the 4-day 

Training Course from 26 to 29 September 2011. 

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Photo 1 

Photo 2 

Lecture by Japan Customs’ Experts 

to future Master Trainers 

Photo 3 

Case Study Session by Japan 

Customs’ Experts to future Master 

Trainers 

Photo 4 

Opening Ceremony for Training 

Course to TRA Trainees 


3 Projectors handed over from JICA 

Customs Project to DCG of TRA 

Lecture by future Master Trainers to 

TRA Trainees 

Certificates handed over from Ag. 

Com to TRA Trainers 

22

Testing/Training of Real Time Monitoring System 

and Cargo Control System (RTMS/CCS) at 

Namanga border 

Photo 4 

Photo 1 

Namanga border 

Photo 2 

Piles of Papers on the Desk 

Photo 3 

Since August 2011, JICA Customs 

Project has tested RTMS/CCS in a live 

environment and conducted 

RTMS/CCS Operational Training to 

Customs officers at Namanga border 

on how to use the systems to 

generate various reports such as 

temporary motor vehicle 

transportation. RTMS/CCS is 

expected to replace manual process 

by the end of 2011. 

Project consultant & TRA IT Team 

explained RTMS/CCS concept and 

functionalities to Custom officers. 

Photo 5


Customs Valuation Working Group in Kampala, 

Uganda 

Photo 1 

Mr. Richard Kmajugo, Commissioner Customs of URA, 

Mr. Vincent Seruma, Assistant Commissioner Human Resource of URA, 

Mr. Tetsuo Seki, Chief Representative, JICA Uganda Office, 

Mr. Tsuyoshi Togoe and Mr. Shingo Tanagami, Experts of Japan Customs, 

Mr. Masaharu Shimoya and Mr. Takao Iwai, Experts of JICA Customs Project, and 

17 Future Master Trainers 


(MTP) for Customs Valuation (CV) Working Group (WG) from 19 to 28 

October 2011 in Kampala, Uganda. 

The main purpose of the 5th Activity is that all 17 members of CV WG, 



trainers to the URA trainees. Totally 30 trainees attended the 4-day 

Training Course from 24 to 27 October 2011. 

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Photo 1 

Photo 2 



Photo 3 



Photo 4 

Self introduction by Trainers to Guests 

at Opening Ceremony 


3 Projectors handed over from CR of 

JICA Uganda Office to DCG of TRA 

Lecture by future Master Trainers to 

URA Trainees 

Refinement of Training Materials with 

Japan Customs’ Experts 

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Joint Regional Enforcement Meeting with KRA, 

TRA, URA and WCO RILO ESA at Malaba 

Photo 1 

Opening Ceremony 

Photo 2 

Progress Report 

Photo 3 

On 1 November 2011, Joint Regional 

Enforcement Meeting was held at 

Malaba with KRA, TRA, URA, WCO RILO 

ESA and JICA Customs Project. 

They reviewed the progress in the 

enforcement operations at Malaba and 

on Victoria for which JICA Customs 

Project provided necessary equipment. 

They also discussed the regional issues 

such as how to protect domestic 

industries, IPR and rules of origin. 

In addition, WCO RILO ESA shared the 

information on smuggling trend and 

countermeasures taken by Customs 

communities in the world. 

At the end of the meting, DCs 

Enforcement from KRA, TRA and URA 

counter-signed the minutes over the 

discusses issues and the way forward. 

Photo 4 

Recognition of the Minutes by DCs 

Enforcement from KRA, TRA and URA 

Group Photo 

26

Capacity Building of Customs Clearing Agents 

Seminar on HS Classification held 

on 2nd – 3rd Nov 2011 in Kampala 

The seminar on HS Classification is one of the 

various seminars being sponsored by JICA within 

the EAC region, others being seminars on Customs 

Valuation and Compliance. These seminars are 

delivered to Customs Clearing Agents within the 

EAC region with a view of improving their day to 

day operations in the Customs clearance process 

and also to enable them adopt the world best 

practices as prescribed by Word Customs 

Organization. 

The seminars are being facilitated by Customs 

Officers from the EAC revenue authorities who are 

undergoing the Master trainers Program.. which 

aims at providing capacity building through 

training on fields of HS, CV & Intelligence Analysis. 

Seminar on Compliance held on 8th 

July 2011 in Dar es Salaam facilitated 

by JICA expert Mr. Yasui 

Seminar on HS Classification held on 

8 th – 9 th Sep 2011 Bujumbura 


29th – 30th June 2011 in Mombasa 


13th – 14th July 2011 in Kigali 

27

RTMS/CCS Review Session at Namanga 

by RTMS/CCS Working Group Members 

from 5 Member Countries 

Photo 1 

Photo 4 

Delegates Arrival at Namanga 

Discussion 

Photo 2 

Discussion 

Photo 4 

From 7th to 9th December 2011, 

RTMS/CCS Working Group 

members from 5 member countries 

had a RTMS/CCS Review Session 

at Namanga. They reviewed the 

progress of implementing the 

RMT/CCS and discussed the 

challenges for its successful 

implementation and rollout to other 

borders in the region. 

RTMS/CCS is IT system which was 

developed by JICA Customs 

Project to put a OSBP concept in 

place at borders by streamlining 

the business process not only of 

Customs but also other border 

agencies. 

Discussion 

28

4th Regional Joint Coordinating Committee 

Meeting in Kigali, Dec 2011 

Photo 11 

Meeting opened by the address of Mr. 

Richard Tusabe, DCG and Commissioner 

Customs RRA 

On 15 December 2011, the 4th 

Regional Joint Coordinating 

Committee (RJCC) Meeting took 

place in Kigali, Rwanda with the 

presence of top managements of 

RAs, EAC Customs Directorate, 

and WCO Regional Offices, Japan 

Customs, JICA and JICA Customs 

Project. 

In the meeting, the progress and 

the way forward for JICA Customs 

Project were discussed followed by 

the presentation made by JICA HQ 

Mission on the Mid-term Review 

Report on JICA Customs Project. 

Photo 2 

Group Photo 

29

NEWS FROM JICA CUSTOMS PROJECT - Kenya Revenue Authority

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