Imagine Pacific Island customs officers mastering core skills in commodity classification and valuation—how might this transform regional trade efficiency and economic growth? The Master Trainer Programme (MTP) , a joint initiative by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aims to achieve precisely this. By cultivating high-caliber customs trainers and developing region-specific training materials, the program seeks to establish a sustainable framework for customs capacity building.
Addressing Unique Challenges in Pacific Island Customs
Pacific Island nations face distinct obstacles in customs management: geographic dispersion, limited resources, and gaps in understanding international trade rules. These constraints hinder customs efficiency and trade facilitation. To address them, WCO and JICA launched MTP, focusing on two critical areas— Customs Valuation (CV) and Harmonized System (HS) classification —which directly impact tariff revenue, trade statistics, and border security.
A Long-Term Capacity-Building Framework
MTP is not a one-time training event but a 2–3-year program structured around five working groups (WGs) and intersessional activities. Nominated participants from customs administrations undergo systematic training to deepen expertise and refine instructional skills. Each WG targets specific competencies:
- WG1: Fundamentals of CV/HS and training methodologies.
- WG2: Case studies and practical simulations.
- WG3: Development of tailored training materials.
- WG4: Advanced training techniques and cross-regional knowledge exchange.
- WG5: Final evaluation and presentation of training portfolios.
Intersessional activities—including online learning and collaborative projects—reinforce skills and foster peer networks.
Fourth WG Meeting: A Milestone in Fiji
From June 12–16, 2023, the WCO Asia-Pacific Regional Training Centre in Suva hosted MTP’s fourth WG meeting, organized by Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS). Twenty-two CV/HS experts from six Pacific nations participated to:
- Finalize regionally adapted training materials.
- Enhance instructional skills through workshops led by WCO and Japanese customs experts.
- Learn from Australia and New Zealand’s capacity-building initiatives in the region.
FRCS Chief Customs Officer Nausad Ali underscored the program’s role in developing local training autonomy , while JICA Fiji representative Mayumi Amaike emphasized its alignment with regional priorities.
Expert Contributions and Regional Synergies
WCO and Japanese customs specialists provided technical guidance on complex CV/HS rules and adult-learning strategies. Meanwhile, representatives from Australia’s Border Force and New Zealand Customs shared best practices in:
- Designing context-responsive curricula.
- Building partnerships with island customs administrations.
- Measuring training impact.
Sustainable Outcomes and Regional Impact
As participants prepare for WG5 in early 2024, MTP’s long-term objectives include:
- Revenue optimization: Accurate classification and valuation to bolster tariff collection.
- Trade efficiency: Streamlined procedures reducing transaction costs.
- Security enhancement: Strengthened border controls against illicit trade.
- Regional integration: A robust Pacific customs network.
The program exemplifies how targeted capacity building can elevate customs systems in geographically challenged regions, ultimately fostering economic resilience.