The WCO relaunched its Leadership Development Programme, aiming to enhance the leadership and management capabilities of customs officials. This initiative addresses international trade challenges and promotes customs modernization. Sixteen countries have benefited from the program. The WCO expresses gratitude to China, Japan, and Korea for their financial contributions and support.
Under the Mercator Program, the World Customs Organization (WCO) supports Sierra Leone in deploying the nCEN system to enhance risk management and customs valuation capabilities. Through technical assistance, training, and experience sharing, the WCO assists Sierra Leone in establishing an efficient and secure customs system, promoting trade facilitation and economic development. This initiative aims to strengthen customs procedures and improve overall border management in Sierra Leone, contributing to a more streamlined and secure trading environment.
The Maldives Customs Service held an executive leadership management development retreat to implement the Mercator Implementation Plan, enhance teamwork and leadership, and optimize organizational development. The aim was to formulate a reliable strategic plan before World Customs Day, improve customs efficiency, and promote national economic development. The retreat focused on strengthening leadership skills and fostering collaboration to effectively execute strategic initiatives and contribute to the overall growth and prosperity of the Maldives.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) participated in a policy dialogue with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), sharing trade facilitation experiences to support trade development in Latin America. Key initiatives highlighted included the Single Window, the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, and the Mercator Program. The WCO emphasized the importance of international cooperation in promoting global trade. The dialogue aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange to enhance trade efficiency and security within the Latin American region and beyond.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Armenia in developing a Mercator Implementation Plan. This plan aims to comprehensively improve customs clearance efficiency and trade facilitation in Armenia by optimizing key areas such as advance rulings, risk management, and the single window system. The initiative is expected to inject new vitality into Armenia's economic development by streamlining trade processes and reducing associated costs. The focus is on modernizing customs procedures to align with international best practices and facilitate smoother cross-border trade.
The World Customs Organization's (WCO) Mercator Program is assisting the Bahamas Customs Department (BCD) in its customs modernization efforts to support its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Through gap analysis, process optimization, and the establishment of a Single Window system, the program aims to enhance trade facilitation in the Bahamas, strengthen its international competitiveness, and promote economic development. This initiative is crucial for streamlining customs procedures and fostering a more efficient and transparent trade environment in the Bahamas.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), conducted a risk management workshop for Serbian Customs. The aim was to enhance their risk management capabilities, establish a robust risk management system, and improve their risk registry. This initiative will help Serbian Customs improve inspection efficiency, increase transparency, and ultimately facilitate trade, contributing to the country's economic development.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO), held an advanced training course in Geneva for chairpersons of National Trade Facilitation Committees from French-speaking countries. The course aimed to enhance their understanding of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and improve their communication and collaboration skills with stakeholders. The curriculum was based on WCO's capacity building materials and introduced key tools such as the Mercator Program. Both organizations will continue their collaboration to organize similar courses for Spanish-speaking countries.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) jointly launched the "Master Trainer Programme" to develop customs valuation experts in Pacific Island Countries. This initiative aims to establish a regional training system, enhance customs valuation capabilities, facilitate trade, increase revenue collection, and improve international competitiveness. The first working group activity has been successfully held, laying a solid foundation for future actions.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) have agreed to a no-cost extension of one year for the Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP). Launched in 2018, the GTFP has benefited numerous countries by significantly improving customs management and trade facilitation through capacity building, institutional reforms, cooperation promotion, and technological innovation. This has injected new momentum into global trade development.
