Customs-Business Partnership in India

New Delhi, 22-23 July 2010

Report

At the invitation of Chairman V. Sridhar of the Central Board of Excise & Customs in India, Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya of the WCO visited New Delhi on 22 and 23 July 2010 to attend a dialogue session with business to discuss the establishment of an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme.

During the dialogue with numerous business associations, the Secretary General gave his account of the global trends in national AEO programmes and mutual recognition. Indian Customs explained its gradual approach to starting an AEO pilot project in the country. Business representatives sought clarification on the impact of the AEO programme on small and medium sized enterprises which are the major component of the Indian trade sector. They expressed interest in greater participation in securing and facilitating the global trade supply chain.

Secretary General Mikuriya also had a series of meetings with the management team of Indian Customs to review progress in India, particularly with respect to their IT system, risk management, and performance measurement. He also visited the National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics in Faridabad to discuss India's contribution to capacity building and human resource development.