Africaasia Customs Boost Wildlife Trafficking Fight Via INAMA

Africaasia Customs Boost Wildlife Trafficking Fight Via INAMA

The INAMA project supports nine countries in Africa and Asia to enhance their capacity to combat illegal wildlife trade (IWT) by deploying expert missions. The project focuses on training frameworks, legal instruments, risk management, and action plans. Funded by the U.S. Department of State and the Customs Cooperation Fund, this initiative aims to effectively curb IWT crimes and protect global biodiversity through international cooperation. It strengthens customs enforcement and promotes sustainable solutions to address the complex challenges posed by wildlife trafficking.

WCO Backs HR Modernization for Customs in Senegal Gabon

WCO Backs HR Modernization for Customs in Senegal Gabon

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the WACAM project, is providing human resource modernization support to the Customs administrations of Senegal and Gabon. This includes refining tools such as job catalogs and competency frameworks, as well as identifying change management actions. Both countries plan to validate the tools and launch pilot programs in early 2016. The project aims to improve the management efficiency of Customs in both countries and serve as a model for the West and Central African regions.

WCO Strengthens Zambias Antiwildlife Trafficking Efforts

WCO Strengthens Zambias Antiwildlife Trafficking Efforts

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its INAMA project, supports Zambia Customs in enhancing its intelligence capabilities to combat the illegal trade in endangered species. A WCO expert team visited Zambia to provide strategic advice and technical assistance, covering intelligence gathering, analysis, dissemination, and risk management. This initiative aims to strengthen Zambia Customs' enforcement capabilities and contribute to global biodiversity conservation efforts. The project focuses on improving intelligence-led enforcement to effectively target and disrupt wildlife trafficking networks operating through Zambian borders.

Malawi Customs Strengthened Against Illegal Wildlife Trade

Malawi Customs Strengthened Against Illegal Wildlife Trade

The WCO's INAMA project, funded by GIZ, effectively enhanced the Malawi Revenue Authority's risk management capabilities in combating illegal wildlife trade. This was achieved through diagnostic assessments, practical training, risk profile development, and capacity building. The project emphasizes long-term sustainability alongside short-term impact, providing valuable experience and a model for other countries seeking to strengthen their customs enforcement efforts against wildlife trafficking. Its holistic approach ensures lasting improvements in identifying and mitigating risks related to this illicit trade.

UK WCO Extend Trade Facilitation for Developing Nations

UK WCO Extend Trade Facilitation for Developing Nations

UK Customs and the World Customs Organization have extended their trade facilitation cooperation project, investing £1.6 million to support Commonwealth developing countries in implementing the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement. This initiative aims to enhance customs capabilities, promote inter-agency cooperation, and establish sustainable mechanisms. The project will help developing countries integrate into the global trading system, fostering economic growth. The extended partnership will focus on building long-term capacity and ensuring the benefits of trade facilitation are realized by participating nations.

West Africa Launches Etransit System to Enhance Trade

West Africa Launches Etransit System to Enhance Trade

With the support of the World Customs Organization, five West African countries have launched an electronic transit information project. This initiative aims to improve the efficiency of regional trade and facilitate economic integration within the region. By streamlining customs procedures and enhancing data exchange, the project seeks to reduce transit times and lower trade costs, ultimately boosting economic growth and strengthening regional partnerships. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of these nations to fostering a more integrated and prosperous West African trade environment.

Cape Verde Boosts Trade Through Stakeholder Engagement

Cape Verde Boosts Trade Through Stakeholder Engagement

Cabo Verde has made significant progress in trade facilitation through the WCO-WACAM project, with effective stakeholder engagement being key. The project supports Cabo Verde in implementing measures related to the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and enhancing customs management capabilities. Through collaboration, Cabo Verde successfully completed a Time Release Study at Praia Port, laying the foundation for improved national port efficiency and demonstrating the value of a collaborative approach. This initiative highlights Cabo Verde's commitment to streamlining trade processes and fostering economic growth.

Senegal Customs Overhauls HR Leads West African Reform

Senegal Customs Overhauls HR Leads West African Reform

Supported by the Swedish government-funded West African Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) project, Senegalese Customs is actively modernizing its human resource processes. This includes developing key tools such as job and competency directories and building a competency-based management system. The project serves as a model for customs administration modernization in the West African region and provides valuable experience for other countries. It highlights the importance of investing in human resources to improve customs efficiency and effectiveness within the region.

WCO Launches Global Effort to Stop Fake COVID19 Vaccines

WCO Launches Global Effort to Stop Fake COVID19 Vaccines

The World Customs Organization (WCO) launched the "Project on Urgent Facilitation and Coordination of Customs Controls over Cross-Border Movements of COVID-19 Related Goods" to combat the cross-border trafficking of counterfeit vaccines and other illicit goods while ensuring the smooth flow of legitimate vaccine shipments. Funded by Japan Customs, the project aims to enhance customs' ability to combat illicit trade and safeguard global pandemic response efforts by building a coordinated regulatory system, analyzing illegal trade trends, and conducting capacity building activities.

WCO Enhances Postclearance Audits in Uzbekistan

WCO Enhances Postclearance Audits in Uzbekistan

Under the WCO's global trade facilitation project, the World Customs Organization (WCO) provided Post Clearance Audit (PCA) technical assistance to the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Uzbekistan. Through remote guidance, simulations, and process optimization recommendations, the assistance aimed to enhance Uzbekistan's PCA capabilities, strengthen trade compliance management, and promote economic development. This support deepened Uzbekistan's understanding of the PCA process, identified areas for improvement, and laid the groundwork for developing customs procedures. The project is expected to significantly improve trade efficiency and security.