WCO Launches Leadership Program for Mauritius Revenue Authority

WCO Launches Leadership Program for Mauritius Revenue Authority

The WCO conducted a leadership workshop for the Mauritius Revenue Authority, aiming to enhance the skills of its managers and foster a dynamic leadership culture. The workshop emphasized self-awareness, team building, and change management. Participants explored effective leadership strategies and techniques to improve organizational performance. The training sought to equip managers with the tools necessary to navigate challenges, inspire their teams, and drive positive change within the customs administration. Ultimately, the goal was to cultivate a more effective and responsive customs service in Mauritius.

Gambia Revenue Authority Boosts HR Strategy with WCO Aid

Gambia Revenue Authority Boosts HR Strategy with WCO Aid

With Sida's funding, the WCO, through the WACAM project, is assisting the Gambia Revenue Authority in enhancing its human resource management capabilities and optimizing recruitment processes. This initiative aims to strengthen the GRA's operational efficiency by improving its ability to attract, retain, and develop qualified personnel. The project focuses on modernizing HR practices and aligning them with international standards to support the GRA's mandate in revenue collection and border security. Ultimately, this contributes to Gambia's economic development by fostering a more effective and transparent customs administration.

US Infrastructure Bill Delayed Amid Political Stalemate

US Infrastructure Bill Delayed Amid Political Stalemate

The US surface transportation authorization bill faces another extension. Experts argue that short-term extensions fail to address the core issues. The new administration needs to promptly resolve the Highway Trust Fund's funding shortfall and break the bipartisan gridlock on transportation infrastructure construction. A long-term solution is crucial for sustained economic growth and improved mobility. Failure to act decisively will further exacerbate existing infrastructure problems and hinder future development. The political will to overcome partisan divides is essential to secure a robust and reliable transportation network.

Uzbekistan Maldives Boost Customs Audits in Joint Workshop

Uzbekistan Maldives Boost Customs Audits in Joint Workshop

Under the World Customs Organization framework, Uzbekistan and Maldives Customs successfully held an online seminar focusing on the exchange of Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) experiences. The Maldives shared their practices in organizational structure, legal framework, operating procedures, and IT systems, aiming to enhance Uzbekistan's capabilities in PCA. This exchange also strengthened customs cooperation between the two countries, fostering trade facilitation and improving customs administration efficiency. The seminar provided a platform for knowledge sharing and best practice adoption in the area of post-clearance audit.

China Mandates Thirdparty Verification for 16 Product Categories Under CCC Overhaul

China Mandates Thirdparty Verification for 16 Product Categories Under CCC Overhaul

The State Administration for Market Regulation announced that 16 categories of CCC-certified products will transition from self-declaration to mandatory third-party certification. This aims to strengthen product quality supervision, raise market access standards, protect consumer rights, and promote healthy industry development. Businesses should closely monitor the official catalog, stay informed about the new regulations, and prepare for the certification process. This change emphasizes stricter quality control and independent verification for these product categories, ensuring greater consumer confidence and a more reliable market environment.

Mali Customs Adopts Competencybased HR Modernization

Mali Customs Adopts Competencybased HR Modernization

With WCO support, Mali Customs initiated a competency-based human resource modernization reform. This aims to build a high-quality, professional workforce through a modern training system, career development system, and integrity policies. The goal is to enhance overall customs performance, strengthen organizational competitiveness, and promote Mali's sustainable economic development. This paper analyzes the reform's background, objectives, key achievements, challenges, and opportunities. It also proposes recommendations for an action plan to further the reform's success and ensure its long-term impact on the Malian customs administration.

Gambia Revenue Authority Boosts HR Management with WACAM Support

Gambia Revenue Authority Boosts HR Management with WACAM Support

With support from the WACAM project funded by the Swedish government, the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) pioneered the implementation of the WCO's competency-based Human Resource Management approach in West and Central Africa. A WCO expert team conducted a comprehensive review of GRA's key HR management tools, providing recommendations for improvement and an implementation plan. Modernizing HR management at GRA will enhance tax administration efficiency, optimize taxpayer services, and foster regional cooperation. This initiative marks a significant step towards improved governance and revenue collection in the region.

Jamaica Customs Boosts Efficiency Through Leadership Overhaul

Jamaica Customs Boosts Efficiency Through Leadership Overhaul

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), with support from HMRC and the WCO, is driving management transformation through Leadership and Management Development (LMD) workshops. These workshops aim to enhance managers' leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills, fostering a people-centered, continuous learning, and high-performance organization. This is crucial for adapting to the challenges of the global trading environment. The JCA's practices offer valuable lessons for customs reform in other countries. The focus is on building capacity and creating a more effective and responsive customs administration.

China Eases Overseas Listings Via Red Chip Structures

China Eases Overseas Listings Via Red Chip Structures

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the entire process of ODI (Overseas Direct Investment) filing under the Red Chip structure, emphasizing its crucial role in capital outflow, listing compliance, and profit repatriation. It meticulously breaks down the filing process into four stages: preliminary preparation, NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission) filing, MOFCOM (Ministry of Commerce) filing, and SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) registration. A core material checklist for 2025 is also provided to help companies successfully complete ODI filing and achieve overseas listing.

WCO Supports Guineabissau Customs Modernization Efforts

WCO Supports Guineabissau Customs Modernization Efforts

Under the West Africa Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) project, funded by the Swedish government, the World Customs Organization (WCO) supported Guinea-Bissau Customs in resource mobilization. Through training, Guinea-Bissau Customs enhanced its project planning capabilities, completing draft project proposals and a donor mapping exercise. The next step involves the WACAM project assisting the country in hosting a national donor roundtable conference to promote customs modernization. This initiative aims to secure funding and partnerships crucial for advancing customs reforms and efficiency in Guinea-Bissau.