WCO strategic planning mission to Liberia

November 9-13, 2009

In early 2009, the Liberia Bureau of Customs and Excise became an active Member of the WCO. Under the auspices of the Columbus Programme, the WCO had conducted a diagnostic mission in June 2009.

Ms Elfrieda Stewart Tamba, Deputy Minister of Finance, welcomed the WCO diagnostic report as a valuable starting point for building the capacity of the country’s Customs administration. In order to move forward, the Government of Liberia requested WCO assistance for the preparation of a Customs strategic plan.

While the role of Customs in collecting revenue remains critical, Liberia Customs recognizes the need to embrace a broader economic role and become an important player in setting the right conditions for sustainable socio-economic development.

During the period from November 9-13, 2009, the WCO conducted a mission to assist Liberia Customs’ management team in the identification of strategic objectives for reform and modernization. This exercise allows a review of government and Customs priorities to lay the foundation for the establishment of a medium-term strategy and action plan, to be submitted for endorsement by the Commissioner of Customs and the Ministry of Finance. The guidance and support shared with Liberia was well appreciated and fully taken advantage of by workshop participants.

This mission was implemented under the Eurocustoms` fund thanks to the contribution of EU Member Countries to WCO Capacity Building efforts.