ONE International Shipping Company has enhanced its WA1 and SW2 services by adding berth services at Onne and Lekki ports in Nigeria, improving transport efficiency and increasing responsiveness to the West African market. This development will further promote trade within the region and provide customers with more flexible shipping options.
The Western Logistics Park in Chongqing promotes the growth of the port economy through the coordinated development of logistics, trade, finance, and information industries. It has successfully attracted global enterprises, significantly expanding the international trade of complete vehicle imports and the finance sector. The construction of a smart park is also progressing steadily, creating a vibrant economic ecosystem. The future looks promising with ample opportunities ahead.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joint “Mentoring Training Programme” (MTP) has made significant progress in West Africa. Overcoming the impact of the pandemic through innovative models such as virtual working groups, the program successfully enhanced the capacity of customs officers in West African countries in risk management and intelligence analysis, contributing to regional trade security and economic development. The success of this program provides a valuable reference for capacity building in other developing countries.
Freetown is a key port in Sierra Leone, benefiting from its strategic location and facilities, which lay the groundwork for cargo handling and foreign trade development. The port's seven berths and convenient railway connections present excellent opportunities for business collaboration and economic growth, making it an ideal choice for exploring the West African market.
The Port of Libreville is Gabon's second-largest port and a key West African hub for manganese ore exports. This article outlines the port's geographic location, infrastructure, economic activities, and transportation network. It also analyzes the challenges it faces and its future development directions. The Port of Libreville needs to continuously enhance its competitiveness to better fulfill its role and contribute more significantly to Gabon's economic development.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the West Africa Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) project, is supporting the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) in implementing a competency-based human resource management model. A WCO expert team reviewed GRA's HR management tools and provided recommendations for improvement and an implementation plan. GRA is expected to become a benchmark in human resource management in the West and Central African region, offering valuable lessons for other countries. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the GRA through strategic human resource development.
Supported by the WCO/JICA joint project, West African Customs administrations continued to enhance their risk management and intelligence analysis capabilities during the pandemic through online training. The MTP project, involving six countries including Benin, aims to cultivate a team of experts proficient in these skills and has made significant progress. By adopting innovative training methods, the project overcame the challenges posed by the pandemic and injected new momentum into customs capacity building in West Africa. The online format allowed for continued learning and development despite travel restrictions and social distancing measures.
This article discusses important considerations for international remittances in Mali using the SWIFT code of the Central Bank of West African States (BCAOMLBAXXX). It emphasizes the importance of verifying the branch's SWIFT code and ensuring accurate banking information.
The West Africa Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) project aims to improve customs management and operational efficiency in West African countries. Through regional workshops and national support missions, it shares best practices in strategic management and provides capacity building support in areas such as human resource management, stakeholder relations, and resource mobilization. The project has successfully held resource mobilization workshops and will continue to advance stakeholder relations workshops, contributing to customs modernization in West Africa. The goal is to create more effective and efficient customs administrations.
With the support of the World Customs Organization, The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) launched strategic management reforms to enhance organizational efficiency and strategic execution. Through assessment, roadmap development, and strengthening project management systems, the GRA aims to become a West African tax model, contributing to regional development. The reforms are expected to improve revenue collection, streamline processes, and foster greater international cooperation in tax matters, ultimately boosting The Gambia's economic growth and stability.
