Here is the rewritten article in markdown format:

Sudan Customs Authority Embarks on Risk Management Overhaul with WCO Guidance

Khartoum, Sudan - In a bid to enhance trade facilitation and strengthen border management, the Sudan Customs Authority (SCA) has received expert guidance from the World Customs Organization (WCO) as part of its ongoing efforts to implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

Expert Mission Assessments

A recent mission by the WCO, conducted in August 2017 at the request of the SCA, assessed the country’s risk management capabilities and provided recommendations for improvement. The team visited various customs administration offices, including Khartoum International Airport and the Soba Dry Port, to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Sudan Customs.

Progress and Areas for Improvement

The WCO team praised the SCA’s progress in several strategic areas, citing recent risk management measures implemented in several customs offices as a solid foundation for future roll-out. However, the mission also identified areas where improvements were needed:

Policy Development

Develop policies that align with international best practices and standards

Strategic Planning

Enhance strategic planning to address risk management challenges

Intelligence Gathering

Improve intelligence gathering capabilities to support risk management decisions

Compliance Monitoring

Strengthen compliance monitoring processes to ensure adherence to regulations

Clearance Procedures

Streamline clearance procedures to reduce processing times

Human Resources

Develop human resources capacity to support risk management efforts

“By addressing these gaps, Sudan Customs can increase its pace and efforts to implement trade facilitation through modern risk management,” said Major General Mohamed Magoub, Deputy Director General of the SCA. “This will enable us to successfully manage our borders and meet the expectations of both the trading community and the Sudanese government.”

Action Plan Development

The WCO’s recommendations have been grouped into five main areas and will form the basis for an action plan to be developed by the SCA.

Conclusion

The mission is seen as a significant step towards strengthening Sudan Customs’ capacity to manage risk effectively, enhance trade facilitation, and improve the overall business environment.

HMRC-WCO-UNCTAD Multi-Year Project to Implement WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement
WCO UNCTAD Programme: Building Capacity for Effective Border Management