At the request of the Maldives Customs Service (MCS), and with the support of the Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF) of Japan, the WCO conducted a diagnostic support mission on the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) from 18 to 27 of November 2019 in Male, Maldives.  

The mission was conducted under the framework of the WCO Mercator Programme and included discussions with all the relevant departments within MCS along with important stakeholders from both the public sector and the business community.    

Through effective engagement with MCS officials, the WCO team were able to make a comprehensive assessment of the situation with regard to TFA implementation, highlighting some areas where further capacity building and technical assistance support may be required.

In collaboration with MCS, the WCO also developed a multi-year Mercator Implementation Plan that will form the basis of future WCO input and will facilitate enhanced engagement with other government agencies and private sector stakeholders involved in trade facilitation reforms.

For further information, please contact the WCO Capacity Building Directorate: Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org.