The second phase of the WCO and JICA's Southern African Customs Valuation Training Program has concluded. The program aimed to develop trainers and enhance regional customs valuation capabilities. Recommendations include strengthening follow-up support and fostering regional cooperation to sustain the program's impact and build upon the progress achieved in improving customs valuation practices within the region.
The WCO and JICA collaborated on an MTP project to train customs valuation officers from five Southern African countries. This initiative aimed to enhance regional customs capacity and facilitate trade development in the region. The project focused on building expertise in customs valuation techniques and promoting international cooperation among customs administrations. Ultimately, the goal was to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of customs operations, contributing to economic growth and regional integration. The training program covered various aspects of customs valuation, ensuring participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are jointly implementing the Customs Valuation (CV) Master Trainer Program (MTP) to create a professional and sustainable pool of CV trainers in Southern Africa. The third working group activity focused on developing training materials and enhancing practical skills. The WCO and JICA are committed to continuously supporting customs capacity building in the region, building an efficient and transparent customs valuation system, and promoting trade development.
A WCO/JICA-supported customs valuation training program for Southern Africa took place in Botswana. The initiative aimed to enhance the customs valuation capabilities of five countries in the region. By improving valuation practices, the project contributes to regional economic development and facilitates smoother trade flows within Southern Africa. The training program focused on equipping customs officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to accurately assess the value of imported goods, ensuring fair and efficient revenue collection and promoting a level playing field for businesses.
A Sida-WCO Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernization Project Coordinators' Workshop was held in Malawi to enhance the capabilities of project coordinators and promote customs modernization reforms. The meeting emphasized the importance of experience sharing, performance evaluation, and collaboration. Expert recommendations were made, including building a comprehensive performance management system, to improve customs modernization levels and promote trade development. The workshop aimed to strengthen project implementation and contribute to more efficient and effective customs procedures, ultimately facilitating trade and economic growth.
Kenya, a key player in the African e-commerce market, attracts global cross-border e-commerce sellers due to its youthful population, increasing internet penetration, and widespread adoption of mobile payments. This article analyzes the rise of the Kenyan e-commerce market, consumer preferences, major e-commerce platforms, the success story of mobile payments, and government support. It provides cross-border e-commerce sellers with strategies and recommendations for entering the Kenyan market, highlighting key opportunities and challenges for successful market penetration.
The Indian international air travel market has flourished over the past decade, witnessing significant growth in seat capacity and a reshaped market landscape. Air India, IndiGo, and Emirates are leading the market. The UAE, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia are key international markets for Indian air travel, with the Middle East region gaining increasing importance. Looking ahead, the market presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring airlines to continuously innovate to navigate competition and capitalize on emerging trends.
The global air cargo market remains sluggish, with taxes and regulations being major obstacles. The Asia-Pacific region shows the weakest performance, while the Middle East and Latin America are strong. Load factors are declining, squeezing profit margins. IATA calls on governments to reduce taxes and simplify regulations to create a more favorable environment for the aviation industry and reshape global trade vitality. The industry needs support to overcome these challenges and foster growth amidst economic uncertainties.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the current state and potential of the Iranian e-commerce market, offering a comprehensive market overview for cross-border sellers. It covers Iran's basic profile, e-commerce platforms, administrative divisions, economic overview, and geographical climate. The aim is to help sellers understand the opportunities and challenges in the Iranian market, enabling them to develop effective market strategies and tap into the new blue ocean of e-commerce in the Middle East.
This article provides a detailed guide on flying from China to Bulgaria, covering routes, flight duration, ticket prices, visa requirements, and time zone differences. As there are no direct flights, transfers are typically required in Europe or the Middle East. The flight duration is approximately 15-20 hours, and round-trip economy class tickets range from 6000-12000 RMB. Additionally, it's necessary to obtain a visa in advance and be aware of the time difference, local currency, and language.
