myth

The ASYCUDA Myth Part 2:  United Nations Audit Reveals Collusion, and Conflicts of Interest

The ASYCUDA Myth Part 2:  United Nations Audit Reveals Collusion, and Conflicts of Interest

We’ve prepared a series of upcoming posts over the next 1-2 weeks regarding ASYCUDA that might draw some interest and discussion.  A few months ago, I had posted a blog on ASYCUDA called: “The ASYCUDA Myth Part 1: Is UNCTAD fostering a No-Bid Sole Source Contract for ASYCUDA World?”  This post can be accessed here and discussed the various tactics employed by UNCTAD to secure a sole source deployment of ASYCUDA under the guise of a misleading feasibility study.

The next in the series (posted here today) is called, “The ASYCUDA Myth Part 2:  United Nations Audit Reveals Collusion, and Conflicts of Interest”, and is based on the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight services (OIOS) audits in 2008 and 2012.  Surprisingly, many in our community are still unaware of these reports and the internal conflicts they exposed. Personally, I only discovered them in the last year.  If you are in anyway involved in trade facilitation, customs modernization, and/or capacity building in the developing world, it is very important to understand the specifics of ASYCUDA development to date and where this system is likely headed.

This blog will be followed by 2 more blogs in the next 2 weeks called,

“The ASYCUDA Myth Part 3:  Where is ASYCUDA Millennium?”

and ;

“The ASYCUDA Myth Part 4:  Time to Open Source.” 

I hope these blogs are enjoyed and prompt much discussion to make the positive change that is desperately needed.

The WCO CTS Myth - Part 1: Is the WCO Marketing with the ASYCUDA model?

The WCO CTS Myth - Part 1: Is the WCO Marketing with the ASYCUDA model?

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is blocking the technology providers from those countries who require and seek a robust risk management solution, by suggesting their Cargo Targeting System (CTS) as the only viable solution available.  No market awareness or survey is provided. Sure -the WCO will point members to the TEN network or WCO IT Conference, but it’s clear to us that members are shown all roads lead to the CTS…. especially when they are told it makes them compliant with WCO SAFE....