Support mission to Egypt to identify an Integrity pilot project

The WCO Secretariat received a request from the Egyptian Customs Authority (ECA) indicating that it wished to embark on an integrity pilot project in order to implement the principles of the Revised Arusha Declaration. This first request from Egypt for support in the integrity area followed the political changes that the country has experienced in the recent past.

The WCO subsequently sent a mission to Cairo to present the WCO Integrity Development Programme and to establish what could be done in terms of an integrity pilot project. The mission was financed through the Eurocustoms Fund. ECA presented its achievements in the context of the current Customs reform and shared its aspirations with regard to the key elements of the Revised Arusha Declaration, such as Automation, Human Resources Management and Morale and Organizational Culture.

The meeting with ECA’s senior management proved very useful in clearly establishing the type of assistance required. The WCO mission and ECA staff worked together to identify a way forward with regard to the integrity pilot project.

The WCO welcomes such initiatives from Members committed to enhancing integrity within Customs.