This month the WCO completed the implementation of its National Customs Enforcement Network (nCEN) application in the fifth country of the Asia-Pacific region, in Sri Lanka. Following the successful implementation of the nCEN in 18 African countries, Asia is becoming the next continent where the nCEN application is making its mark.

The swift implementation process of the nCEN in Sri Lanka was the result of a fruitful cooperation between the WCO and Sri Lanka Customs, culminating in the organization of an nCEN Training Workshop in Colombo at the beginning of October. Following an official opening attended by the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs, a group of 15 participants representing a wide range of departments followed an intensive 8-day training course on the full functionality of the nCEN application, having the opportunity as the first country to use the newest version of the nCEN with enhanced features.

Asia Pacific is one of the biggest regions within the WCO regional structure. With five countries currently using the nCEN application (Maldives, Fiji, Vanuatu, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka), the foundations of a regional network are beginning to take shape. The WCO global nCEN deployment strategy has always centered on a regional approach, namely the sharing of ideas and actions among neighboring countries to achieve the same regional objectives. The WCO hopes that the current momentum in the region will result in more countries joining the nCEN network.

The nCEN software is made available to all WCO Members free of charge. The costs of the hardware for the nCEN application, the costs associated with the training, and possible costs for modifications to the local IT infrastructure (if applicable), are however the responsibility of the implementing Customs Administration.

More information on the nCEN can be obtained by contacting the WCO CEN Programme at nCEN@wcoomd.org.