Rwanda Freight Forwarders Association

Since its launch,ADR has spared no efforts in upliftind the training centre to attain its goals. Below is an outline of the attainments of EACFFPC Training centre thus FAR:may 2008 from 14 to 16 may 2008,ADR organised a three day workshop for the validation of the the EACFFPC french version that involved RRA(customs)and their counterparts from Burundi.During the Same period,EACFFPC rolled out its activities in Rwanda. As a key player within the East African community,the Association of clearing and forwarding Agencies of Rwanda(ADR)has taken key steps towards actualising trade between Rwanda and the region through the establishing of the East African customs and Freight Forwarding practicing certificate(EACFFPC)training centre. EACFFPC curriculum and its subsequent training programme centre,which is located within Gikondo,Kigali city,was established in 2008 by the EAC partner states after the EAC customs Union.Rwanda was the fourth country to commence this programme. The commencement of the EACFFPC training was preceded by the validation and translation of the EACFFPC curriculum.the curriculum is a tailored six month programme that focuses on customs clearance procedures,freight forwarding procedures and other business best-practices.ADR and the Rwanda Revenue Authority(RRA)were mandated to implement the programme in Rwanda. The programme focuses on all ADR members;after all,this will be a prerequisite before any registration with the customs office in the near future.ADR heavily subsidised the financing of the six month training program that first ran from july 2008 to january 2009. Since its launch,ADR has spared no efforts in uplifting the training centre to attain its goals.Below is an outline of the attainments of EACFFPC training centre thus far:

May 2008

From 14 to 16 may 2008,ADR organised a three-day workshop for the validation of the EACFFPC french version that involved RRA(customs)and their counterparts from Burundi.During the same period,EACFFPC rolled out its activities in Rwanda.Correspondingly,ADR set up its website HYPERLINK"http://www.adrwanda.com"www.adrwanda.com  

june 2008

The EACFFPC launched the french version in Bujumbura,Burundi while ADR was also bestowed with a prestigious seat on the EACBC.All trainees at the centre were enrolled on a part-time basis for the convenience of both trainers& trainees.

July 2008

ADR engaged the services of a consultant on the advice from the Rwanda private sector federation(RPSF)to oversee the running of the centre while fundraising for the project.

August 2008

The EACFFPC training programme was launched in August 2008 and immediately recruited 18 trainers experienced in relevant fields in its curriculum.These included: Customs operations-ten trainers Freight Logistics-six trainers Management & customer services-two trainers Meanwhile,trainers prepared examination questions while the examination committee approved the final examinations.

February 2009

From 2nd-february 09 to 11 february 09,the first session of the examinations were held at the centre,while the second session was held from 16-march 09 to 20 march -09.on 27 march 09,the final results were published.Out of a total of 84 trainees that sat for the examinations,47 passed at their first attempt with the requisite pass mark of the 50 percent.Meanwhile,out of the 37 that re-sal final exam,30 passed while seven failed to raise the average mark.

Challenges

Language has been a major challenge not only for students,who use english and kinyarwanda or their counterparts that use french and Kinyarwanda but for trainers too.This has prompted us to deeply rething the delivery of the coursework without losing the attention and concentration of tranees.consequently,our trainers have had to mostly teach the courses in Kinyarwanda though the notes are translated into both English and french and handed out to students.Another challenge was the high pass mark set by the ARR that result many of the candidates who double as members of the association failling the examination.Subsequently,members had to ask for time off from work to sit for a retake and this caused stand-off with employers among other tribulations.Additionally,it was logistically strenuous for the centre to manage the retake.

Future

The EACFFPC training centre has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the kenya Institude of Management to build the necessary capacity building of members though continuous professional development(CPD).Subsequently,a task force has been setup to oversee how the two could cooperate to advance the training provided by the institute.

SUMMARY OF EVENTS IN 2008/2009 2008

March-April Meetings and study tours for East Africa customs practicing certificate(EACFFPC)around the region were conducted. May Validation of the EACFFPC French course material in Kigali-Rwanda Training of trainers(TOT)in Butare. June ADR trainers contributed a lot in the validation of the french course material in Burundi July Enrolment of the first intake for EACFFPC(90 trainees) ADR website construction & development (www.adrwanda.com) August Official opening of ADR-Training centre in le Prestige house,Gikondo-Kigali

2009

February ADR under took a baseline survey on Agency fees & and freight rates charged in the East African community member states. March-May ADR hosted workshops on CMA,aimed at educating clearing agement Act. July ADR participated in developing a complete work plan for accelerated transit efficiency improvements on East African corridors that took place in Mombasa-Kenya,represented by the chairman,john Bosco Rusagara Second intake for EACFFPC training program August ADR participated in developing a sustainable transportation system to reduce congestion in major metropolitan areas in Africa and United States(US/Africa workshop in Arusha TZ) November Series of meeting on customs bond insurance premium with concerned institutions. ADR participated in developing a sustainable transportation system to reduce congestion in major metropolitan areas in Africa and United states(US/Africa workshop in Arusha TZ)November December Implementation of 'Urutonde'project at Gatuna border Achievements.Leadership in FEAFFA through the election of the chairman ADR as the president of FEAFFA.Membership in East African Business council(EABC)Developing the EACFFPC curriculum along with our partners from EARA,the EAC secretariat and USAID,used for training customs agents and freight forwarders.Establishment of a fully fledged training centre in customs and freight management to facilitate capacity building Designed and adopted a code of conduct for the association Formed strong partnerships with our key state holders mainly RRA,EARA,EAC Directorate of customs and trade,PSF,port authorities & Shippers council Revenue collection through Installation of DTI at Magerwa and all boarder stations and hiring out our training centre when it's not being used for EACFFPC training centre when it's not being used for EACFFPC training,removing unregistered or 'cowboy'agents from the boarder stations. Challenges Insufficient knowledge of rules/regulations/weight limitations/documentation System failures,slow processing and signing of Delivery orders within Magerwa Multiple Customs registration pointsss whilst en route Insecurity & safety issues delays with cargo loss & damage.Heavy reliance on "one man show"operations High insurance premium on bond securities Implementation failure of 'Guichets' OPPORTUNITIES Advent of EAC means creation of a larger market and free mobility of laabor within the region Members'interations within the EAC lead to exchange of experiences and informations.A good working Relationship with key stakeholders RRA and PSF is facilitating self regulation and adoption of best practices.Since 2008 the association is conducting training and enforcing a code of conduct which promotes professionalism through recognition of tax complaint members hence winning our stakeholders'goodwill. New partnership are emerging.so far,we have signed MoU with Kenya Institute of Management to build the necessary capacity for our members through continuous professional development(CPD),still arrangements are underway with other institutions of relevant disciplines to our industry such as ports authorities that would help in sharing experience & information. Membership in East African Business Council(EABC)developing the EACFFPC curriculum along with our partners from EARA,the EAC secretariat and USAID,used for training customs agents and Freight Forwaders