INTRODUCTION TO THE COTECNA 

General

• correct valuation and Customs classification of goods to be imported in the client country through a physical inspection of goods in the country of export, thereby ensuring a potential increase in Customs receipts
  

• improving facilitation of trade, through implementation of the Green Channel concept for FCL containers arriving in the country of import with Cotecna container seals intact, thereby speeding up clearance of goods which have been inspected and correctly valued
  
  
• attracting foreign investment through evidence of sound protection of local industry
  
  
• transfer of technology to the local Customs services.

The Group has some 2,000 full-time employees with approximately 2,000 contracted experts, totalling 4,000 personnel in 150 offices in 100 countries word-wide.

PSI Contracts

Since its foundation COTECNA has held PSI contracts with the Governments of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Comoros, Togo, Niger, Djibouti, Benin, Chad and Tanzania; not to mention being selected by the World Bank to do PSI for Somalia which never became operative because of the internal situation in Somalia.

Computer Technology

The very nature of PSI is highly IT (Information Technology) intensive and only the very latest EDT (Electronic Data Transfer) technology is employed. This is being constantly up-dated to ensure "state-of-the art" techniques to minimise delays, ensure accurate and rapid transfer of information and to keep an up-to-date Valuation Data Base. Among recent developments, is the direct access to our database offered to importers through the Internet to obtain up-to-date information and status of their import transaction.

Security

High priority to security is accorded to every step of the whole PSI process.

COTECNA has their own private EDT system called "Connect" which is totally impervious to any outside penetration attempt.

The COTECNA "Clean Report of Findings" Certificate incorporates many unusually hi-tec security features.

In accordance with Group security regulations, all staff are subject to regular security checks and audits.

ISO 9000

COTECNA maintains a system of Quality Assurance based on ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 9002, the International Quality Assurance Standard.

Transfer of Technology and Training

The Group prides itself on paying particular attention to transferring technology through training of Customs personnel both in the client Government's country and overseas. COTECNA has given overseas courses in UK, Switzerland, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, Korea, China and Colombia.

These can be tailored to meet the client's needs but normally cover as a minimum: valuation, inspection techniques, computerisation, container fraud and management organisation.