From Monday 17 to Friday 21 January 2022, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Côte d'Ivoire Customs Administration, is hosting a workshop on the Master Trainers Programme on Rules of Origin. This workshop started on Monday 17 January 2022 at the Ivotel Hotel in Abidjan-Plateau.
The goal of this workshop is to enhance the operational capacities of customs administrations in West Africa concerning rules of origin, thereby improving the application of key agreements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.
Mr. Motohiro FUJIMITSU, Manager of the Joint WCO/JICA Project, stated that the Master Trainers Programme is a collaborative effort of Customs administrations to strengthen their expertise through training in areas such as tariff classification and risk management.
Representing the World Customs Organization's Regional Capacity Building Office for West and Central Africa (BRRC/AOC), Ms. Lemami, on behalf of the Director of the Regional Capacity Building Office for West and Central Africa (RCC-WCA), expressed gratitude to all contributors for their role in making the training session a reality.
Didier BONYEME, Rules of Origin Expert at the AfCFTA Secretariat, underscored the importance of this training. He highlighted that it forms a critical foundation for the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. He reiterated AfCFTA's commitment to supporting WCO activities, promoting sharing experience on the operationalisation of rules of origin and the development of special economic zones. He hoped that this programme would be expanded to cover more regions in Africa to meet the needs of participating States.
Mr. Kojiro FUJINO, Resident Representative of JICA, pointed out that this second phase of the WCO/JICA project focuses on two key aspects for Customs administrations:
- The importance of rules of origin for the effective implementation of the AfCFTA.
- Guidelines for maintaining supply chain continuity during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, Colonel AKE Léopold, representing the Director General of Ivorian Customs, congratulated the WCO and JICA's initiative to build the capacities of Customs administrations, particularly in the sub-region and central regions. He encouraged participants to make full use of this opportunity.
Customs administrations from Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire are participating in this sub-regional workshop.
http://www.douanes.ci/info/les-administrations-douanieres-de-la-sous-region-renforcent-leurs-capacites
Customs administrations in the sub-region strengthen their capacities