Ethiopia Boosts Customs Efficiency with WCO Audit Program

Ethiopia Boosts Customs Efficiency with WCO Audit Program

A WCO assessment report highlights challenges faced by Ethiopia's Post Clearance Audit (PCA). Recommendations include strengthening legal frameworks, improving risk management practices, and enhancing IT infrastructure. These improvements aim to increase the efficiency of customs control and facilitate trade. Addressing these areas is crucial for Ethiopia to optimize its customs operations and contribute to regional and global trade competitiveness. Successful implementation will require sustained commitment and strategic resource allocation.

East Africa Boosts Antismuggling Efforts with WCO JICA Support

East Africa Boosts Antismuggling Efforts with WCO JICA Support

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) jointly held a workshop in Uganda to enhance customs intelligence analysis capabilities and strengthen anti-smuggling efforts in East Africa. Customs officials from various East African countries collaborated to develop post-seizure analysis training materials. Experts from the WCO and Japan Customs provided guidance to help East African customs improve their intelligence-driven risk management and combat smuggling crimes. The workshop aimed to build capacity and foster regional cooperation in tackling cross-border illicit trade.

WCO Aids Mongolia in Strengthening Customs Risk Management

WCO Aids Mongolia in Strengthening Customs Risk Management

The World Customs Organization (WCO) collaborated with Mongolian Customs to conduct a passenger risk screening workshop in Ulaanbaatar, aiming to enhance Mongolia's risk-based passenger targeting capabilities. The workshop covered risk management frameworks, behavioral analysis, questioning techniques, and the application of WCO risk management tools. It emphasized the strategic importance of risk management in customs modernization and explored future trends in intelligent risk management.

Pacific Islands Boost Customs Valuation with Expert Program

Pacific Islands Boost Customs Valuation with Expert Program

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.

Nigeria Customs Boosts Efficiency with Wcobacked HS Code Reform

Nigeria Customs Boosts Efficiency with Wcobacked HS Code Reform

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the European Union, held a high-level workshop in Nigeria to enhance the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)'s expertise in Harmonized System (HS) coding. Through a combination of theoretical and practical training, the workshop aimed to improve the accuracy of customs officials in classifying goods, thereby promoting trade facilitation and injecting new vitality into Nigeria's economic development. This initiative is crucial for ensuring efficient customs procedures and boosting international trade competitiveness.

Mauritius Revenue Authority Upgrades HRM After WCO Review

Mauritius Revenue Authority Upgrades HRM After WCO Review

The World Customs Organization conducted a diagnostic review of the Mauritius Revenue Authority's (MRA) human resource management system to support the MRA in establishing a modern and transparent HRM system. The review team proposed competency-based recommendations for improvement, which the MRA intends to actively adopt to enhance its human resource management capabilities and support its tax administration functions. This initiative aims to strengthen the MRA's ability to attract, retain, and develop skilled personnel, ultimately improving the efficiency and effectiveness of tax collection and compliance.

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.

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.