WCOJICA Project Enhances East African Customs Capacity

WCOJICA Project Enhances East African Customs Capacity

WCO-JICA cooperation is helping East African customs authorities cultivate customs audit experts, enhancing regional customs audit capabilities, and promoting trade development. The initiative focuses on strengthening the skills and knowledge of customs officers in conducting effective audits, thereby improving compliance and revenue collection. This collaboration aims to facilitate smoother trade flows within the East African region by ensuring fair and transparent customs procedures and combating illicit trade activities through improved audit practices. Ultimately, this contributes to economic growth and regional integration.

WCO Supports Madagascar Customs to Streamline Trade

WCO Supports Madagascar Customs to Streamline Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Madagascar Customs in implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the Immediate Release Guidelines, aiming to optimize trade processes, accelerate cargo release, and promote economic growth. Through workshops, gap analysis, and field visits, the WCO is working with Madagascar Customs to advance digital transformation and improve cross-border trade efficiency. This collaboration focuses on enhancing customs procedures and infrastructure to streamline the movement of goods and boost Madagascar's economic competitiveness.

Kyrgyzstan Boosts Customs Oversight Via WCO Partnership

Kyrgyzstan Boosts Customs Oversight Via WCO Partnership

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a national post-clearance audit (PCA) workshop in Kyrgyzstan to enhance the country's customs audit capabilities. Funded by the Korea Customs Cooperation Fund, WCO experts used interactive teaching and practical exercises to help participants master the theoretical knowledge and operational skills of PCA. The successful workshop will contribute to strengthening Kyrgyzstan's PCA system, promoting trade facilitation, and safeguarding national economic security. The training covered key aspects of PCA implementation and risk management.

WCO Boosts Trade Control Enforcement in Albania Kosovo

WCO Boosts Trade Control Enforcement in Albania Kosovo

The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a Strategic Trade Control Enforcement (STCE) training in Tirana, Albania, for customs officials from Albania and Kosovo. The training aimed to enhance the two countries' customs capabilities in identifying and intercepting strategic goods, addressing the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The curriculum covered the theoretical framework of STCE, strategic goods identification, and practical exercises. The WCO plans to hold more related training sessions in other regions in the future.

North Macedonia Boosts Customs with WCO Tariff Training

North Macedonia Boosts Customs with WCO Tariff Training

The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a national workshop on tariff classification in the Republic of North Macedonia. The workshop aimed to enhance the country's customs capacity in classifying goods such as dairy products, food supplements, and high-tech equipment. Sponsored by the German Customs Cooperation Fund, WCO experts provided theoretical and practical guidance, introducing relevant WCO tools and resources. This initiative supports the modernization of customs administration in North Macedonia, ensuring accurate tariff classification and efficient trade facilitation.

WCOJICA Enhances Customs Valuation in Pacific Islands

WCOJICA Enhances Customs Valuation in Pacific Islands

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), launched a Customs Valuation Mentor Training Program for Pacific Island Countries, aiming to build a regional pool of experts and enhance customs valuation capabilities. The program promotes regional cooperation, enhances competitiveness, and achieves sustainable development by cultivating local experts and developing regional training materials. Recommended follow-up actions include strengthening training evaluation, establishing an information-sharing platform, and improving legal and regulatory frameworks.

Uzbekistan Maldives Boost Customs Audits Via Virtual Workshop

Uzbekistan Maldives Boost Customs Audits Via Virtual Workshop

Uzbekistan and Maldives Customs held a virtual workshop where Uzbekistan learned from the Maldives' experience in post-clearance audit to enhance its own capabilities. The workshop facilitated knowledge sharing and best practices in customs procedures, specifically focusing on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of post-clearance audit processes. This collaboration highlights the importance of international customs cooperation in strengthening national customs administrations and promoting trade facilitation.

WCO Assessment Enhances Zambias Trade Facilitation Efforts

WCO Assessment Enhances Zambias Trade Facilitation Efforts

The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a trade facilitation capacity assessment in Zambia, focusing on time release studies, coordinated border management, data harmonization, and single window development. The assessment provided specific recommendations aimed at enhancing internal capabilities within the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and establishing a timeline for implementing the time release study. This supports Zambia's trade facilitation reforms by identifying areas for improvement and offering a roadmap for achieving greater efficiency in customs procedures and border management.

West Africa Customs Modernization Enhances Revenue Training

West Africa Customs Modernization Enhances Revenue Training

The West African Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) project, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), aims to enhance customs management in West Africa through regional workshops and national support. A recent resource mobilization workshop received positive feedback, and future efforts will focus on stakeholder relations. This initiative contributes to improving customs efficiency and promoting regional economic development in West Africa.

WCO Boosts Guyanas Postclearance Audit Capacity

WCO Boosts Guyanas Postclearance Audit Capacity

Under the Mercator Program, the World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a post-clearance audit (PCA) workshop for the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to enhance its tax compliance oversight capabilities. Through the training, Guyanese customs officers gained in-depth knowledge of PCA concepts and techniques, laying the groundwork for improved customs control efficiency and trade facilitation. The WCO looks forward to continued cooperation with the GRA to further advance its customs administration.