Namibia hosts African customs meeting
Namibia recently hosted a gathering of customs officials from 24 countries to deliberate on critical issues facing African members of the World Customs Organisation.
Namibia, through the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), hosted the 39th regional steering group meeting and the 30th governing council (GC) meeting of the World Customs Organisation East and Southern Africa (WCO ESA) Region in Swakopmund last week.
The gathering served as vital platforms to discuss matters pertaining to the group's regional strategy (2022-2025).
Key focus areas encompassed the effective implementation of trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other free trade agreements (TFA), efficient revenue mobilisation and customs modernisation, strengthening compliance and security through data management, addressing new working methods and ensuring the well-being of customs staff.
First for Namibia
The governing council meeting saw the participation of several commissioner generals from WCO ESA member states, including the secretary-general of the World Customs Organisation, Ian Saunders, who officiated the meeting alongside Namibian finance minister, Ipumbu Shiimi.
Shiimi expressed his delight at hosting the meeting on Namibian soil for the first time, and highlighted the role of customs as the gatekeepers of society, without whom society would be endangered and the economic growth of nations would be hampered.
He called on all members to embrace partnership, cooperation and collaboration.
Shiimi underscored the importance of discussions on enabling the functioning of the AfCFTA, emphasising its significance for the continent's economic development.
The minister also expressed pride in NamRA's accomplishments and called for continued collaboration and support from international partners to further enhance revenue administration and facilitate regional trade and economic integration.
Namibia, through the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), hosted the 39th regional steering group meeting and the 30th governing council (GC) meeting of the World Customs Organisation East and Southern Africa (WCO ESA) Region in Swakopmund last week.
The gathering served as vital platforms to discuss matters pertaining to the group's regional strategy (2022-2025).
Key focus areas encompassed the effective implementation of trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other free trade agreements (TFA), efficient revenue mobilisation and customs modernisation, strengthening compliance and security through data management, addressing new working methods and ensuring the well-being of customs staff.
First for Namibia
The governing council meeting saw the participation of several commissioner generals from WCO ESA member states, including the secretary-general of the World Customs Organisation, Ian Saunders, who officiated the meeting alongside Namibian finance minister, Ipumbu Shiimi.
Shiimi expressed his delight at hosting the meeting on Namibian soil for the first time, and highlighted the role of customs as the gatekeepers of society, without whom society would be endangered and the economic growth of nations would be hampered.
He called on all members to embrace partnership, cooperation and collaboration.
Shiimi underscored the importance of discussions on enabling the functioning of the AfCFTA, emphasising its significance for the continent's economic development.
The minister also expressed pride in NamRA's accomplishments and called for continued collaboration and support from international partners to further enhance revenue administration and facilitate regional trade and economic integration.
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