The Mozambican Tax Authority (AT) collected almost 8.1 billion meticais last year as a result of the implementation of the sealing program for alcoholic beverages and manufactured tobacco.

According to the deputy director-general of Customs, Fernando Alage, who was speaking yesterday, Wednesday (24), during the launch of the Border Control and Monitoring Project through Geospatial Systems, since the introduction of this measure in 2017 until the first quarter of this year, more than two billion stamps have been allocated to 308 operators across the country.

On the occasion, he pointed out that with the sealing of alcoholic drinks and manufactured tobacco, which aims to reduce the levels of smuggling, the state has seen its revenues increase significantly.

"In the first year of the measure's implementation, the revenue collected from the ICE amounted to 1.1 billion meticais, representing an increase in revenue from this item of around 8% compared to 2016," said Alage, quoted by the newspaper. AIM.

As for the launch of the geospatial system, Alage explained that the project will initially develop applications for mapping land borders, focusing on those with the highest smuggling rates in the country.

The use of geospatial data and information will make it possible to provide customs officials with relevant information in cross-border trade surveillance operations and strengthen the prevention of illicit activities.

By analyzing geospatial data in real time, the project will make it possible to identify illegal activities such as the movement of people, vehicles and boats in restricted areas or areas that are difficult to access.

"It is hoped that by the end of next year the project will be completed and in the operational phase," the source added, stressing that the system represents a set of perfectly integrated programs, equipment, methodologies and people, which makes it possible to collect, store, process and collate data.