The background
Côte d'Ivoire, situated in West Africa, has a rich trading history dating back centuries. Historically known as a hub for the trans-Saharan trade routes, the region traded goods such as gold, ivory, and spices with Arab merchants and European colonial powers.
In the modern era, Côte d'Ivoire’s economy largely relies on its natural resources, particularly cocoa and coffee, making it one of the world's leading producers of these commodities. Additionally, the country exports significant quantities of oil, palm oil, rubber, and timber.
The country's main trade routes include those leading to Europe, where its cocoa and coffee are in high demand, as well as routes to other African countries and Asia. Abidjan, the capital city, serves as one of the region's busiest ports and a key entry point for imports and exports.
Recognising the need for more efficient customs processes, the Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Budget of Côte d'Ivoire partnered with Webb Fontaine to implement three solutions, Webb Ports, Webb Valuation and Webb Single Window to aid trade facilitation.
The action
In partnership with the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Budget, Côte d'Ivoire signed two conventions with Webb Fontaine Group to address its trade facilitation challenges. Launched in July 2013, this collaboration aims to implement three key solutions:
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Webb Single Window: The National Single Window for Foreign Trade (GUCE) consolidates all foreign trade information into a single portal, streamlining procedures and providing clear guidelines for traders.
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Webb Ports: The implementation of Webb Ports aims to improve the efficiency of port operations, facilitating smoother movement of goods and reducing delays.
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Webb Valuation: The establishment of a goods evaluation and classification centre (Ruling Centre) in partnership with Customs aims to enhance classification, valuation, and risk assessment of goods, ensuring compliance with international standards.
The project in Côte d'Ivoire has seen major successes, including the complete transfer of the Ruling Centre in March 2019 and the Guichet Unique du Commerce Extérieur to the State of Côte d'Ivoire at the end of June 2022. This demonstrates the successful implementation of Webb Fontaine's Build, Operate, Transfer model, ensuring the maintenance and continuous improvement of these vital trade facilitation tools.
