At the invitation of Mr. Aly Malla, Director General of Customs, Mozambique Revenue Authority, in his capacity as host of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) Heads of Customs Meeting, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya attended the XXXII Meeting of CPLP Directors General of Customs in Maputo, Mozambique on 21 November 2017.

In his opening speech, Secretary General Mikuriya referred to the historical footprint of the Portuguese language on trade and to the strength and usefulness of a Customs network based on a common language and culture in terms of enhancing connectivity among CPLP Members and beyond.  He recalled the close cooperation between the WCO and the CPLP, including the Career Development (Professional Associate) Programme, aimed at maintaining and improving links between CPLP countries and the WCO, and the growing use of Portuguese in WCO capacity building activities.

Mr. Francisco Curinha, Secretary General of the Conference, and Ms. Amelia Nakhare, President of the Mozambique Revenue Authority, welcomed the delegates and stressed the importance of harmonized border procedures for cooperation and economic development.

The topics for discussion at the Meeting of CPLP Directors General included the Portuguese versions of the Harmonized System and the Revised Kyoto Convention as the basis for Customs harmonization.  The delegates also shared their experience and best practices in the Customs area, including trade facilitation and e-commerce.  The Meeting of Directors General was followed by a Strategic Planning Workshop.