The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will serve as guidance to traders.

In 2016 CRAN and the Directorate of Customs and Excise, which was under the Ministry of Finance at the time, concluded an agreement to harmonise the implementation of laws governing the imports of telecommunication equipment in Namibia.

CRAN and NamRA renewed the agreement in accordance with section 80 of the Communications Act (No. 8 of 2009), authorising and subscribing to CRAN to enforce reasonable standards applicable to importer telecommunications equipment.

A speech read on behalf of CRAN Chief Executive Officer Emilia Nghikembua by CRAN Head of Corporate Communications Katrina Sikeni said the MoU will coordinate, harmonise and secure the consistent application governing import and export manufacturing telecommunication equipment in the country.

The MoU will establish a framework on equipment approval standards at various border posts, within and around the Republic of Namibia.

“CRAN and NamRA seek through the MoU further to promote security and facilitation on international trade, including the harmonisation of customs procedures and the international ordinary mail of designation postal operators. The purpose of the regulations is to ensure that telecommunicate action equipment used in Namibia complies with local and international standards,” she said.

Sub-standard equipment that might present health hazards to consumers is not allowed to operate in the country.

NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute said the MoU has four objectives – to promote cooperation and coordination of importation of communication equipment, facilitate efficient custom procedures at other various borders, collaborate on capacity building, and give guidance to traders as they have challenges and issues of what to bring in the country.

CRAN reminded all importers, vendors, patent owners, individuals and equipment manufacturers of telecommunications equipment that it is their responsibility to obtain a Type Approval certificate before their goods enter the borders of Namibia.

(NAMPA)

Source: The Namibian Press Agency