Wcos Mercator Program Boosts Bosnias WTO Trade Facilitation

Wcos Mercator Program Boosts Bosnias WTO Trade Facilitation

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its Mercator Programme, supports Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementing trade facilitation measures. This includes organizing workshops to raise awareness, identify priorities, and assist in the establishment of a National Trade Facilitation Committee. This initiative aims to accelerate Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and promote its economic growth and international competitiveness.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Aids Georgia in Strengthening Anticounterfeiting Efforts

WCO Aids Georgia in Strengthening Anticounterfeiting Efforts

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) highlighted the importance of intellectual property protection at an international conference on combating counterfeiting and piracy in Georgia. He presented the WCO's actions in fighting against counterfeit and pirated goods globally. He called for strengthened international cooperation to jointly build a defense line for intellectual property protection, safeguarding global health, security, and economic development. The WCO emphasizes collaborative efforts are crucial to effectively address the challenges posed by counterfeiting and piracy worldwide.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Bolivia Customs Strengthens Leadership Amid Trade Challenges

Bolivia Customs Strengthens Leadership Amid Trade Challenges

Bolivian Customs significantly enhanced its leadership team's strategic decision-making abilities and team cohesion through customized training, team building, and negotiation skills development at a high-level leadership and management development retreat. This initiative strengthened their foundation for addressing future challenges. The WTO-SECO Global Trade Facilitation Programme provided crucial support for this event, fostering improved leadership and collaboration within the Bolivian Customs administration to promote trade facilitation.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Bolivia Customs Boosts Leadership with Executive Training

Bolivia Customs Boosts Leadership with Executive Training

Bolivia Customs, through its participation in the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme, successfully held an executive leadership and management development workshop. This workshop aimed to enhance the leadership capabilities of the senior management team to address future strategic challenges. Through team building, individual leadership development, and negotiation skills training, the workshop significantly strengthened team cohesion and improved leadership skills, laying a solid foundation for the future development of Bolivia Customs.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Barbados Adopts Peoplecentric Customs Reform with WCO Support

Barbados Adopts Peoplecentric Customs Reform with WCO Support

The WCO is assisting Barbados Customs with reforms to enhance human resource management and build a high-performing customs administration that serves national development. This initiative focuses on modernizing customs practices and strengthening the skills and capabilities of customs officers. Ultimately, the goal is to create a more efficient and effective customs service that contributes significantly to Barbados' economic growth and security. The project aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce trade costs, and enhance border security through targeted training and process improvements.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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US and Americas Sign AEO Trade Pact to Boost Commerce

US and Americas Sign AEO Trade Pact to Boost Commerce

Eleven American countries signed an AEO mutual recognition agreement to facilitate cross-border trade and enhance supply chain security. This agreement, a key initiative under the WCO framework, aims to simplify customs clearance and reduce trade costs through collaboration between customs and the private sector, potentially boosting regional trade growth. Challenges include standard harmonization, information sharing, and capacity building. The future development direction of the AEO program lies in intelligence, automation, and sustainability.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Niger Customs Modernizes HR to Boost Collaboration

Niger Customs Modernizes HR to Boost Collaboration

With the support of the WCO-WACAM project, Niger Customs has initiated a human resources modernization transformation. Through change management and communication activities, it aims to increase awareness and support for modernization both internally and externally. By establishing a competency-based HRM system, Niger Customs seeks to improve work efficiency and employee quality, promote economic development, and provide a reference for other developing countries. This initiative highlights the importance of investing in human capital for effective customs administration and national development.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Barbados Customs Adopts Tech to Curb Smuggling Boost Risk Control

Barbados Customs Adopts Tech to Curb Smuggling Boost Risk Control

Barbados Customs has achieved intelligent transformation of customs supervision by deploying an automated risk management system. This system possesses four core capabilities: data integration and analysis, risk assessment and early warning, targeted inspection intervention, and performance evaluation optimization. Integrated with the ASYCUDA system, it significantly improves the overall efficiency of customs. Barbados' practical experience provides valuable lessons for other countries.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Latin America Intensifies Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods

Latin America Intensifies Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods

Twelve Latin American countries have jointly launched "Operation Tiger 2" to combat counterfeit and pirated goods. Led by the World Customs Organization and Panama Customs, and funded by the Japanese government, the operation builds on the success of "Operation Tiger 1." It will leverage IPM tools to enhance information sharing, protect consumer rights, maintain market order, and create a safe consumer environment. The initiative underscores the commitment to safeguarding intellectual property and fostering legitimate trade within the region.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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World Customs Organization Updates Expert Mission Guidelines

World Customs Organization Updates Expert Mission Guidelines

This guide provides World Customs Organization (WCO) experts with comprehensive instructions for the entire mission execution process, covering pre-mission preparation, on-mission management, and post-mission wrap-up. It includes general procedures, logistical arrangements, mission preparation steps, and financial regulations. The aim is to assist experts in efficiently completing their missions, ensuring the quality and impact of their deliverables. It provides a practical framework for successful mission completion, from initial planning to final reporting, enhancing the overall effectiveness of WCO expert missions.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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