LAUNCH OF WCO TOP EXECUTIVE DIALOGUE
The first ever WCO Top Executive Dialogue was held from 6 to 8 February 2012 in Pretoria, South Africa. The Dialogue aims to bring together the senior executives from Customs administrations to consider and discuss the key strategic issues that impact on their operating environment and ways to respond to these issues. Specific topics included emerging Pan African trade liberalization and facilitation trends, strategic awareness and development, change management and Customs Leadership.
Last week’s Dialogue brought together the top Customs executives from Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia and South Africa. The event was facilitated by Mr. Erich Kieck (Director of the CB, WCO) and Mr. Tapani Erling (DG of the Finnish Customs) together with high level speakers from the academic community and practitioners. It was organized under the sponsorship of the Finnish Government for the WCO East and Southern Africa region. At the conclusion, one of the participating Directors-General remarked that "The top management dialogue has been very fascinating and fruitful as it has helped me to understand the issues in Customs in Africa."