WCO Secretary General visits the new Minister of Finance in South Africa

18 May 2009

WCO Secretary General visits the new Minister of Finance in South Africa

Pretoria, 13 May 2009

Report

On his way to the WCO East and Southern Africa Regional Meeting, the Secretary General of the WCO visited Pretoria on 13 May 2009 to meet the new Minister of Finance in South Africa.

Having just been sworn in two days ago, Pravin Gordhan was previously Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) from 1999 until his appointment as Minister of Finance.

Mr. Gordhan served as Chairperson of the WCO Council from 2001 to 2006. During this time he played an instrumental role in promoting integrity as a high profile issue, in ensuring the adoption of the SAFE Framework of Standards, in the establishment of a Capacity Building Directorate within the WCO Secretariat, and in the development of the "Customs in the 21st Century" strategic policy.

Mr. Mikuriya congratulated Pravin Gordhan on behalf of the entire international customs community and thanked him for his critical contribution to the WCO, especially his efforts to strengthen governance and raise the political visibility of the Organization over recent years.

In response to Mr. Mikuriya's request for Pravin Gordhan’s continued support towards customs from his higher political position, Mr. Gordhan assured the Secretary General that he would maintain his full support for customs and the WCO.

During the visit, Mr. Gordhan took the opportunity to introduce Mr. Mikuriya to the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Nhlanhla Nene, to enhance political support for customs from a South African perspective. Mr. Nene would, amongst other things, act as a champion for customs and customs affairs.
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