At the request of the Namibia Customs & Excise Directorate (NCE), the WCO conducted a diagnostic support mission focused on the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The mission took place from 22nd to 26th October 2018 in Windhoek, Namibia under the framework of WCO Mercator Program and with the financial support of the Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF), Korea.
The WCO team held a series of informative meetings and consultations with senior and mid-level NCE officials from both central and field offices representing a good range of Customs departments and areas of responsibility. The WCO team also met with representatives from both the public and private sector.
It is envisaged that the subsequent WCO diagnostic report, containing a series of tailored recommendations, will provide the framework by which NCE and the WCO can engage further in support of TFA implementation as part of a broader Customs modernization and reform agenda.
The WCO further stands by to work collaboratively with NCE to develop an implementation plan focused on priorities and activities to strengthen capacity building, coordination with other development partners, and facilitating further cooperation with other national Customs administrations.
The WCO Mercator Programme is specifically designed to support developing countries to implement the TFA using the WCO’s extensive range of instruments and tools.