The Causes of Corruption in Customs Administration of Kabul and Means of Reduction

Abstract

Using qualitative method in this research to investigate the causes of corruption and means to control and combat this phenomenon in customs administration of Kabul. Custom administration plays an important role in promotion and facilitation of domestic and foreign businesses. But corruption is a proscribed activity that negatively affects and deteriorates the business climate and the whole economy of the country. To implement the research successfully, two types of data sources are gathered, such as primary and secondary data. The primary data source is collected by applying purposive or judgmental sampling through questionnaire on the face to face and via e – mail (online survey) interviews basis. Also, the questionnaire used open – ended and close – ended questions. The secondary data sources have been collected through books, journals, international organizations website such as USAID, UNODC, World Bank and domestic organizations website like HOOAC, Ministry of Commerce, ACCI, Harakat Administration, ACD, ARD, Business Union and Tax Administration. Moreover, two types of software used for data analysis MS Excel and Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS). The main findings of this research produced comprehensive finding which include: 1) Existence of corruption in customs administration of Kabul is because of low scale of government salaries, lack of rule of law, excessive bureaucracy and regulations and lack of experts as major causes; 2) Primary measures to control and combat corruption in customs administration of Kabul are to increase on the pay scale, enforce rule of law, less bureaucracy and regulations and hire of experts; 3) Comparison of primary and secondary data shows more similarities between primary and secondary data with respect to the causes, consequences and means to control and combat corruption in customs administration of Kabul; 4) Afghan government has to pay more attention on customs administration in order to fulfill its duties and at the same time to improve revenue collection in the country.