The WCO, in cooperation with Qatar Customs, organized a Risk-based Selectivity Workshop in Doha, Qatar from 23 to 26 November 2015. The workshop was attended by 23 Customs officers from Headquarters and field-level offices.

During the opening remarks Mr. Mohammed Jaber Al Nuaimi, Director of the Customs Training Center and representatives of the WCO highlighted the importance of adopting a holistic approach when implementing risk management. They also emphasized the relationship between risk-based cargo selectivity and effective resource allocation and trade facilitation.

While risk management at organizational level was covered during the first day of the Workshop, risk management at operational level (i.e. risk assessment, profiling and targeting, including information and intelligence) was the focus of the following days programme which included syndicate group work , practical exercises and case studies. Each session was followed by questions and answers.

During these 5 days, participants could discuss how to identify and address risks as well as how to develop an effective profile by using the methodology explained in the WCO Customs Risk Management Compendium. Case studies and practical exercises also contributed to their further understanding of the various topics.