The WCO and JICA are conducting a Customs Risk Management Master Trainer Program (MTP) in the Central Asia and Caucasus region to enhance regional self-training capabilities. The second phase of the activity was held in Kazakhstan, focusing on lecturing skills and experience sharing. This initiative aims to strengthen customs risk management practices and promote sustainable training expertise within the region.
With the support of the EU-WCO Harmonized System Programme for Africa, the Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA) organized a national commodity classification workshop. This initiative aims to enhance the commodity classification skills of customs officers, address issues such as incorrect classification and false declarations, and close tax loopholes. By combining online learning with offline workshops, the program strengthens both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, building a comprehensive support system. This contributes to customs modernization, ultimately promoting economic prosperity in Namibia.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) held an online Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) workshop for Kazakhstan, aiming to enhance the country's customs control and promote trade compliance. The workshop emphasized the importance of risk management, information sharing, and cooperation, assisting Kazakhstan Customs in building a more efficient and intelligent control system. This contributes to trade facilitation and security by strengthening Kazakhstan's ability to effectively manage post-clearance activities and ensure compliance with customs regulations.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has released the 'Guide to Successful Transition to Live Virtual Training,' offering strategies and techniques to help customs administrations effectively transition to virtual training modalities. Endorsed by reputable institutions and available in multiple languages, the guide covers needs analysis, instructor preparation, learner management, engagement strategies, and evaluation mechanisms. It aims to enhance training effectiveness and address challenges posed by crises. This guide provides practical advice for designing and delivering engaging and impactful virtual training programs for customs officials.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully held a Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) training in Malaysia, aiming to enhance the customs' PCA capabilities and promote trade facilitation. The workshop covered PCA concepts, risk management, valuation, and auditing techniques, sharing case experiences from Japan and China. This training will help Malaysian Customs provide more convenient customs clearance services for enterprises while ensuring revenue collection, thereby promoting economic development. The training emphasized practical skills and knowledge transfer to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of post-clearance controls.
With the support of the World Customs Organization, Mali Customs developed a Human Resource Management Strategy for 2018-2021. This strategy aims to enhance employee skills, improve work efficiency, and strengthen organizational cohesion through tools like competency models, ultimately achieving the overall mission of customs. The success of Mali Customs has attracted significant attention from the Ministry of Finance and is expected to be promoted to other government departments. The focus is on building a capable and motivated workforce to drive customs modernization and improve overall performance.
Pinduoduo's cross-border e-commerce platform, Temu, is accelerating its global expansion, planning to enter Canada and Spain after the US and African markets. This article analyzes the opportunities and challenges Temu faces in these two markets. It also explores Temu's JIT pre-sale model launched in the US market and discusses the importance of quality and service to Temu's future development, in addition to its low-price strategy. The article highlights the need for Temu to focus on more than just low prices to ensure long-term success in the competitive global e-commerce landscape.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the California Trucking Association, challenging the use of independent contractors by trucking companies in California. The AB5 law's strict ABC test is at the heart of the dispute, creating a legal impasse for the industry. The trucking industry faces uncertainty and potential significant changes to its business model. The case may be appealed to the Supreme Court for a final decision, potentially impacting the gig economy and the definition of independent contractors nationwide. The ruling's implications extend beyond trucking, raising concerns for other industries relying on independent contractors.
This paper analyzes the first phase of the ECP Action Plan from a data analyst perspective, exploring its core objective of enhancing regional economic competitiveness and specific measures. It focuses on key tools such as the Transit Manual, the SME Business Perspectives Checklist Model, the Compendium on Coordinated Border Management, and the Customs-Business Partnership Guide. The paper also looks forward to the future development of the ECP Action Plan, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making and the application of emerging technologies. This analysis provides insights into how the ECP aims to boost trade and economic growth within the region.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) supports the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) in enhancing its Post Clearance Audit (PCA) capabilities through training and diagnostic assessments. This initiative aims to help Gambia build an efficient and compliant trade environment. The project covers PCA principles, risk management, and business cooperation, offering recommendations for improvement. The ultimate goal is to promote trade facilitation and economic development in Gambia.
