Malta Customs Adopts Innovation to Strengthen Island Economy

Malta Customs Adopts Innovation to Strengthen Island Economy

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization visited Malta to discuss development opportunities for small island economies. Malta's Finance Minister highlighted the country's economic transformation, emphasizing the crucial role of customs. The Prime Minister presented the vision of a "Blockchain Island" and called for strengthened international cooperation. Malta Customs has achieved significant success in risk management and technology application, providing a valuable reference for customs cooperation among Mediterranean countries. The discussions focused on leveraging technology and collaboration to enhance trade facilitation and security in the unique context of a small island nation.

WCO Boosts Trade Control Enforcement in Albania Kosovo

WCO Boosts Trade Control Enforcement in Albania Kosovo

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its STCE and COPES projects, conducted online training for Albanian and Kosovar Customs, aiming to enhance their enforcement capabilities in strategic trade control and dual-use item management. The training covered strategic item definitions, evidence collection standards, and investigation techniques. It emphasized the application of data analysis in risk assessment and intelligence analysis to build a global strategic trade control system and maintain global security. The training is expected to improve the effectiveness of customs operations in preventing the illicit proliferation of sensitive goods.

WCO Launches Elearning on Python ML for Customs Modernization

WCO Launches Elearning on Python ML for Customs Modernization

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has launched a Data Quality E-Learning course to enhance data analysis skills of customs officials, ensuring data quality at the source and unlocking its value. The course covers data quality assessment, cleaning techniques, Python programming, and machine learning algorithm applications. It supports the intelligent transformation of customs departments and improves the accuracy of risk goods identification and tax revenue forecasting. The course aims to equip customs officials with the necessary skills to leverage data effectively for improved decision-making and operational efficiency.

WCO Aids Bosnia in Ecommerce Customs Reform

WCO Aids Bosnia in Ecommerce Customs Reform

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a cross-border e-commerce workshop in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to enhance BiH Customs' awareness of WCO tools and initiatives, promoting the security and facilitation of cross-border e-commerce. The workshop highlighted the WCO Framework of Standards on Cross-Border E-Commerce and the Immediate Release Guidelines, and discussed topics such as intellectual property rights protection. BiH Customs officials stated that the workshop deepened their understanding of WCO tools and will contribute to the implementation of the E-Commerce Framework of Standards (FoS).

WCO Workshop Enhances Panama Customs Valuation Practices

WCO Workshop Enhances Panama Customs Valuation Practices

With the support of the China Customs Cooperation Fund, the World Customs Organization (WCO) held a virtual workshop on customs valuation for Panama Customs, aiming to enhance its capacity to implement the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation. The workshop covered key concepts, latest developments, and post-clearance audit applications of the Agreement. Through a combination of theory and practice, it improved participants' skills in document review, customs clearance, and risk management. The WCO will continue to deepen cooperation to support global customs capacity building and promote trade prosperity.

WCO South Korea Boost Trade Training with Clikc Upgrade

WCO South Korea Boost Trade Training with Clikc Upgrade

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the Korea Customs Service (KCS), is upgrading the CLiKC! e-learning platform to enhance the capacity of customs officials worldwide to address emerging technologies and global trade trends. By developing new courses, optimizing platform technology, and expanding language support, this project will provide higher-quality training resources for customs personnel and supply chain partners. This initiative aims to promote global trade facilitation and international customs cooperation, ultimately strengthening the global customs community's ability to navigate the complexities of modern trade.

WCO Addresses Pandemics Gender Disparity with Equality Plan

WCO Addresses Pandemics Gender Disparity with Equality Plan

A virtual working group meeting of the World Customs Organization discussed the impact of the pandemic on gender equality, focusing on the economy, gender-based violence, and working from home. Representatives shared their respective responses, emphasizing the crucial role of customs in supporting employee well-being and protecting public interests. The discussion also explored how data analysis can provide a more precise understanding and response to the gender-differentiated challenges posed by the pandemic. The meeting highlighted the need for targeted interventions and policies to mitigate these disparities.

Gambia Revenue Authority Adopts WCO Trade Facilitation Tool

Gambia Revenue Authority Adopts WCO Trade Facilitation Tool

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) is collaborating with the World Customs Organization (WCO) to enhance trade facilitation capabilities through the WCO's Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM). This initiative aims to assess customs performance, optimize operations, and promote economic development. The GRA is focusing on measures such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program and Coordinated Border Management (CBM) to align with the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement and provide a model for other developing countries. The PMM will help identify areas for improvement and track progress towards achieving trade facilitation goals.

Ghana Customs Officials Attend WCO Leadership Workshop

Ghana Customs Officials Attend WCO Leadership Workshop

The WCO collaborated with the Ghana Revenue Authority to conduct a leadership workshop aimed at enhancing customs management capabilities and promoting modernization. This initiative supports the ongoing efforts to strengthen customs operations in Ghana. The World Bank provides funding to support customs capacity building in Africa, contributing to improved trade facilitation and revenue collection. The workshop focused on developing leadership skills among customs officials, enabling them to effectively manage teams and implement modern customs practices. The ultimate goal is to create a more efficient and effective customs administration in Ghana.

Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing Align for Multinationals

Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing Align for Multinationals

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the OECD jointly held a seminar in Pretoria, focusing on the nexus between customs valuation and transfer pricing. The conference promoted cooperation between tax and customs authorities, exploring the application of transfer pricing studies in customs valuation. It emphasized information sharing, aiming to build a fairer international trade environment. Discussions centered on how transfer pricing methodologies can inform customs valuation practices, ensuring accurate and equitable assessment of goods for duty purposes. The initiative seeks to enhance transparency and combat illicit financial flows related to trade.