Catdom is a developing country with a population of approximately 20 million peo

Catdom is a developing country with a population of approximately 20 million people. The capital city of Catdom is approximately 15 Million and is located in the centre of the country
Catdom is a landlocked country and shares its border with four neighbouring countries that have the following geographical and transportation features:
1. Northdom – To the North of Catdom. It is also a landlocked country. Shares one major land border crossing with Catdom. There are on average 200 truck crossings per day and 10 Coach crossings per day. There are constant movements of informal traders buying and selling fresh produce
2. Eastdom – To the East of Catdom. It has two deep water ports that are able to be used for Catdom imports and exports which are both approximately 800 kilometers from Catdom’s border crossing. Access into Catdom is through one major land border crossing. At this border post there are on average 500 truck crossings per day and 40 Coach crossings per day. Informal trade and movements on foot is disorganized
3. Southdom – To the South of Catdom. It has one deep water port which caters to the majority of bulk petroleum and mineral shipments to and from Catdom. The port is 650 kilometers from Catdom’s border crossing and on average there are 1100 truck crossings per day, 15 Coach crossings per day and 300 car imports per day into Catdom. There are constant movements of informal traders buying and selling fresh produce
4. Westdom – To the West of Catdom. It is also a landlocked country of sparse population and expansive desert regions. There is one major land border crossing and on average there are 50 truck crossings per day and 15 Coach crossings per day. There is limited /zero informal trade activity and very few people are walking between the two countries.
The average dwell time (time truck spends in the custom control area) for trucks entering or exiting Catdom is eleven days for imports and six days for exports and each clearance requires a minimum of 22 different signatures from 9 different cross-border regulatory agencies.
Catdom is a major producer of gold, copper and cobalt but its electricity infrastructure is poor and the majority of mining operations need to create their own power using generators that are powered by imported diesel.
The majority of the working adults are employed in the mining industry with an extremely limited amount of local manufacturing made up of beverages, ground nuts and tobacco. For this reason Catdom is large importer of all manufactured goods, clothing and processed foodstuffs.
The Catdom Customs department collects approximately 35% of all government revenue at the time of importation and approximately 25% of all government revenue at the time of export through duties and GST. (60% of all government revenue)
Catdom is not a member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) but is a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Catdom Customs Department, in terms of its attention to processes, procedures, service levels, automation and integrity has literally remained in a time warp for the last 25 years and continues to process imports and exports manually with multiple signatures and countersigning, conduct physical examinations on nearly all consignments and has a reputation for “rent seeking” (staying in the customs areas for purpose of free storage of their cargo) and deliberately withholding clearances for days.
Constant lobbying by the Chamber of Commerce and the Mining and Petroleum industries with complaints of delays, high absenteeism, restricted office hours, poor infrastructure and allegations of corruption, has reached the ear of the President who has dismissed the now former Commissioner of Customs.
The newly appointed Commissioner of Customs has previously been the leader of the President’s public sector reform committee supported by the World Bank and is known as a champion of change and well connected both politically and with the donor community.
The new Commissioner for Customs has conducted a  visit to all of the land border posts and the inland clearance depot in the capital and is in shock at the state of affairs. Even more shocking is what he has now learned of the nature of Catdom’s obligation to meet the requirements of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.  The worst of all he found that Catdom is not a member of the WCO.
The Commissioner has hastily formed a small Reform & Modernisation Unit and tasked them to conduct thorough research and analysis to produce a report on a potential Customs workplace improvement projects.  You are the team leader of this new work team.
It is expected that the research and analysis of your team will identify numerous capacity building and reform options and opportunities but the Commissioner has requested you to provide a report giving  detailed information and justification of what you consider the three (3) highest priority  initiatives to implement to strengthen Catdom’s’ position to meet its international and domestic obligations in the next 3 years.
Your Commissioner has advised he wants you to prioritize your reform activities to ensure that Catdom meets its international standards and obligations and uses the opportunities and capacity building activities administered by the WCO.  He is particularly interested in any documented benefits and evidence of increased efficiency and effectiveness experienced by other Customs administrations who have faced similar challenges.
The report is to:
* explain why you have chosen these 3 problem areas as the ones which are the highest priority.  Your explanation should be supported by your research of other Customs administrations who have faced similar challenges.
* provide a clear and concise plan to  implement your recommendations (including communication, stakeholder consultations and timing as well as any relevant legislative, Human Resources (HR) and Information and Communications Technology  (ICT) management issues)
* advise the Commissioner of Customs of any relevant risks and how you suggest they be mitigated
MARKING CRITERIA AND STANDARDS
The following criteria and weighting will be used in marking this assignment:
Your ability to:
•critically analyse the situation in Catdom with specific reference to the role of Customs. (4.5/35)
•provide a sound justification for the three priority recommended initiatives to support Catdom’s strategic objectives with evidence of improved efficiencies . (4.5/35)
•formulate a viable management plan to implement the three priority initiatives (12.5/35)
•communicate effectively in academic writing (4.5/35)
•use informed sources to appropriately support your position (4.5/35)
•provide due and appropriate in text and end of text referencing in accordance with the required APA (7th Ed) style (4.5/35)
**Note your report should only address your three (3) highest priority initiatives, in about 500 words each for a report total of about 1,500 words.