In June, the on-time delivery performance of US express companies diverged. FedEx's rate declined, while UPS's improved, and USPS saw a significant increase. The pandemic and labor shortages continue to pose challenges. Amazon operates with a unique model. Improvement is expected in the future.
The WCO and SECO's GTFP project assists Central American countries in implementing the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), simplifying customs procedures, and promoting trade facilitation and economic growth. The project aims to streamline border processes, reduce transaction costs, and enhance the predictability and transparency of customs operations. By adopting the RKC standards, these countries can improve their competitiveness in the global market and attract foreign investment. This initiative contributes to regional integration and sustainable development by fostering a more efficient and effective trading environment.
The World Customs Organization partnered with the Ghana Revenue Authority on a Gender Equality and Diversity project, empowering female traders in Ghana. The project included stakeholder meetings with SMEs and small traders, aiming to simplify trade procedures, provide information support, and promote gender equality. The outcomes of these meetings will be used to improve customs services and create a more equitable trading environment for women traders. This initiative seeks to address barriers faced by women in trade and foster inclusive economic growth.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) are deepening their cooperation through a project funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). This initiative aims to enhance the TRA's capabilities in key areas such as commodity classification and valuation. The collaboration involves joint needs assessments, the introduction of project management methodologies, and coordination with other cooperative projects. The overall goal is to facilitate trade, improve customs management in Tanzania, and contribute to the country's economic development.
The World Customs Organization launched the "COVID-19-related Goods Cross-Border Transport Facilitation and Coordination Customs Supervision Emergency Project." This initiative combats counterfeit vaccines and related illicit trade while ensuring the smooth flow of legitimate goods. The project strengthens customs cooperation, enhances regulatory capabilities, optimizes customs clearance processes, and collaborates closely with vaccine companies, the transportation industry, and international organizations. This collaborative effort aims to secure the global vaccine supply chain and contribute to the global fight against the pandemic.
The WCO-WACAM project assists Cape Verde in implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. Through support for measures categorization assessment and Time Release Study (TRS), it aims to simplify customs clearance processes, reduce trade costs, and improve trade efficiency. The project not only enhances Cape Verde's compliance capabilities but also provides valuable experience for other developing countries, jointly promoting global trade facilitation. This initiative is crucial for boosting economic growth and competitiveness in Cape Verde by streamlining trade procedures and reducing associated costs.
The WACAM project, funded by SIDA, aims to promote regional trade development by enhancing the capacity of West African Customs in human resources, stakeholder relations, and resource mobilization through workshops. The project focuses on Customs Modernization and Capacity Building, specifically targeting improvements in skills and knowledge. By facilitating better collaboration and resource management, WACAM contributes to a more efficient and effective customs environment, ultimately fostering economic growth within the region. The project's emphasis on Resource Mobilization ensures sustainable operations and long-term impact.
The World Customs Organization's INAMA Project held an advanced intelligence training in Zambia, aiming to enhance the intelligence analysis capabilities of customs administrations in Sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative seeks to more effectively combat illicit trade, protect wildlife, and promote sustainable development. The training covered the role of intelligence in law enforcement planning, core analytical techniques, and post-operation analysis. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of State and supported by various stakeholders, contributing to improved regional security and economic stability.
With the assistance of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Sudanese Customs has launched a Human Resources modernization project. This initiative aims to enhance the professionalism and efficiency of the customs workforce by establishing a competency-based management system. The goal is to better serve national economic development and international trade security. The project encompasses assessing the current management situation, developing practical tools, formulating a roadmap, and providing ongoing expert support. This comprehensive approach seeks to transform HR practices within Sudanese Customs.
The WCO's ACES project has assisted Azerbaijan Customs in enhancing its control over weapons of mass destruction. This initiative involved training customs officers and certifying experts, enabling Azerbaijan to fulfill UN Security Council resolutions and contribute to building a global security barrier. The project strengthens strategic trade control and customs capacity building, ultimately aiming to prevent the proliferation of WMDs and ensure a safer global environment. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing critical security challenges.
