KAMPALA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Uganda and China on Wednesday signed an agreement in which the Asian country will finance the modernization of the customs department.

Matia Kasaija, minister of finance, planning and economic development who signed on behalf of the Ugandan government said the 15 million U.S. dollar project will help boost the country's revenue collection.

"This project will lead to scientific methods of increasing revenue collection, trade facilitation and border controls," Kasaija said.

"Collection of revenue is a big challenge in order to be able to meet our budget needs, so this is what we call a good shot in the arm, very timely indeed to improve our tax collection," he said.

Kasaija said China will provide non-intrusive scanners, modernized customs risk management, supervision and communication system, capacity building, customs service and enforcement support, among others.

He said after implementation of the project, it will be harder to smuggle in goods at the country's border control areas.

Zheng Zhuqiang, Chinese ambassador to Uganda who signed on behalf of China said the project is a manifestation of the cooperation achievements under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework.