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The World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation and collaboration on Customs-related matters
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Under the MOU signed on January 21, WCO and WTO agree to identify opportunities to collaborate on Customs-related topics
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They also agree to collaborate on the delivery of technical assistance and capacity building in areas of common interest
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and World Trade Organization (WTO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation and collaboration on Customs-related matters.
Under the MOU signed on January 21 by WCO secretary general Ian Clifton Saunders and WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, the two organizations agreed to identify opportunities to collaborate on Customs-related topics, and coordinate their participation in external fora.
They also agree to collaborate on the delivery of technical assistance and capacity building in areas of common interest, including the implementation of grants provided through the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility to support members in the implementation of WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
The TFA, which entered into force in 2017, contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues. It further contains provisions for technical assistance and capacity building in this area.
The two organizations under the MOU will also share information in areas of common interest and cooperate on special challenges and data analytics with regards to the development of the Harmonized System (HS) tracker and tariff classification.
They will also align work on the transposition of the HS, including through the prompt sharing of HS amendments by the WCO’s HS Committee. In addition, they will collaborate and share information regarding projects and activities put in place to combat illicit trade, including as regards the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
“This MOU moves us closer to realizing the goal of the WCO’s theme this year, Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity,” Saunders said in a statement.
“By working together, policy makers and policy implementers can more efficiently develop approaches that will achieve more efficient trade, greater security and lead us to more shared prosperity. I look forward to the partnership between our Organizations moving to a new level based on this agreement,” Saunders added.
For her part, Okonjo-Iweala said the increasing complexity and volume of international trade makes the new MOU “particularly timely.”
She added: “Both organizations have a shared interest in effective implementation by its members of Customs-related rules in areas such as commodity classification, trade facilitation and the prevention of illicit trade. The MOU will deepen and expand the excellent cooperation the WTO already enjoys with the WCO to help ensure trade contributes more effectively to economic cooperation and security.”
Aside from the WTO, Saunders at the sidelines of the WEF Annual meeting on Jan 21 also met with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) secretary general Dr. Kao Kim Hourn to discuss strengthening both organization’s collaboration and exploring future opportunities for deeper cooperation between ASEAN customs authorities and the WCO to enhance regional and global trade facilitation.
