Thailand Boosts Crossborder Trade with WCO Backing

Thailand Boosts Crossborder Trade with WCO Backing

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a Coordinated Border Management (CBM) workshop in Thailand to enhance the Thai Customs' cross-border trade management capabilities. The workshop focused on key areas such as cooperation between border agencies, Single Window implementation, and paperless trade. Participants also conducted a site visit to a border checkpoint to provide expert recommendations for upgrading Thailand Customs' CBM. This initiative aims to help Thailand create an efficient and convenient cross-border trade environment.

Global Customs Body Unites Against IP Crime

Global Customs Body Unites Against IP Crime

The World Customs Organization (WCO) strengthens global cooperation in combating counterfeit goods by signing Memoranda of Understanding with various industry associations. The collaboration focuses on promoting IPM tools, enhancing information exchange, and training customs officers. This aims to improve global intellectual property protection capabilities, build a bridge between customs and rights holders, and jointly address the increasingly complex challenges posed by counterfeit goods. The partnerships seek to streamline enforcement efforts and create a more secure global trade environment.

Colombia Boosts Customs Checks with WCO Backing

Colombia Boosts Customs Checks with WCO Backing

The World Customs Organization (WCO) assisted Colombia's Directorate of National Taxes and Customs (DIAN) in upgrading its Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) system. This involved reviewing strategies, piloting procedures, and strengthening legal frameworks, significantly enhancing DIAN's compliance capabilities and enforcement powers. This initiative aims to reduce compliance risks for businesses, improve customs clearance efficiency, enhance trade facilitation, and boost corporate reputation. Ultimately, it fosters a more stable and predictable trade environment for Colombia's economic growth and its global trading partners.

Ethiopia Adopts Wcobacked Customs Advance Ruling System

Ethiopia Adopts Wcobacked Customs Advance Ruling System

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is supporting Ethiopia in establishing an advance ruling system to enhance trade facilitation. Through workshops, Ethiopian customs officials clarified the responsibilities of the advance ruling department, discussed revisions to the legal framework, and addressed procedural issues. The establishment of the advance ruling system will help Ethiopia better integrate into the global trading system, improve its competitiveness, and attract more investment. This initiative is crucial for streamlining customs processes and providing predictability for traders.

Bahamas Enhances Trade with Wcobacked Ruling System

Bahamas Enhances Trade with Wcobacked Ruling System

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is supporting the Bahamas in developing an Advance Ruling System to enhance trade facilitation. Through workshops, Bahamian customs officials developed advance ruling application procedures, decision templates, information disclosure guidelines, and created an online database. The Advance Ruling System reduces trade risks, shortens clearance times, promotes international trade development, attracts investment, and reduces trade disputes. This initiative aims to streamline customs processes and improve the overall efficiency of trade operations in the Bahamas.

East Africa Enhances Customs Audits Via WCOJICA Training

East Africa Enhances Customs Audits Via WCOJICA Training

The MTP project, a joint initiative between the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has successfully developed a team of customs audit trainers and created regional training materials in East Africa. This initiative has significantly enhanced the region's customs audit capabilities, contributing to trade facilitation and regional economic development. The project's impact lies in its focus on building local expertise and providing tailored resources to address specific challenges within the East African context.

WCO Intensifies Asiapacific Crackdown on Illegal Plastic Waste

WCO Intensifies Asiapacific Crackdown on Illegal Plastic Waste

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is strengthening control over the illegal trade of plastic waste in the Asia-Pacific region through virtual diagnostic missions to customs administrations in Indonesia and the Philippines. This project aims to help countries effectively implement the Basel Convention amendment through strategic guidance, operational optimization, and capacity building. By enhancing customs capabilities, the initiative supports the participating nations in addressing the environmental challenges posed by plastic waste and contributes to global environmental protection efforts.

Albania Boosts Textile Customs Checks with WTO Aid

Albania Boosts Textile Customs Checks with WTO Aid

The World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully held a national workshop on textile analysis in Albania, aimed at enhancing the expertise of the country's customs laboratory in textile classification, analysis, and equipment usage. Through expert lectures and practical exercises, participants acquired key skills in textile identification and gained insights into the WCO's efforts in promoting international customs laboratory cooperation. The workshop strengthens Albania's capabilities in accurately identifying and classifying textiles, contributing to fair trade and revenue collection.

WCO Enhances Global Customs Response to COVID19 Supply Chains

WCO Enhances Global Customs Response to COVID19 Supply Chains

The World Customs Organization (WCO) COVID-19 Project aims to enhance the emergency response capabilities of national customs administrations and ensure the stability and security of global supply chains. Through capacity building, tool development, and international cooperation, the project has significantly improved customs' ability to respond to emergencies, laying the foundation for a safer and more stable future for global trade. It focuses on strengthening resilience and promoting collaboration to navigate disruptions and maintain essential trade flows.

East Africa Launches Customs Capacity Building Program

East Africa Launches Customs Capacity Building Program

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joint project, 'Train-the-Trainers Programme', has made significant progress in East Africa, enhancing customs capacity by developing a pool of post-clearance audit experts and creating training materials. The project innovatively adopted a 'virtual working group' model during the pandemic to ensure its smooth continuation. Moving forward, the project will further improve training skills and build a sustainable mechanism for customs capacity enhancement in the region.