The 36th East and Southern African Region (ESA) Regional Steering Group (RSG) Meeting was held from 23rd to 25th November 2022 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The meeting was attended by representatives from thirteen Member Customs Administrations of the World Customs Organization (WCO) ESA Region, the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB), the WCO Secretariat, the Regional Training Centers and the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office.
The Director General of Madagascar Customs, Mr. Ernest Lainkana, welcomed all the delegates to Madagascar. In his remarks, he emphasized the need for continuous capacity building support to enhance Customs professionalism in the region. He added that the region is fortunate to have a dynamic ROCB, attentive to Member Customs Administrations’ needs, and appreciated the support the WCO has been providing in the region to improve Customs Administrations’ efficiency.
Mr. Ramanampanoharana Andry, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Madagascar, formally opened the meeting. In his opening remarks, Mr. Andry highlighted, among other things, the current context of globalization, in which Customs are incessantly called to adapt and be agile in responding to emerging global trade issues. He acknowledged the importance of Customs Administrations working together to ensure fair trade treatment, trade facilitation and efficient revenue collection.
During the meeting, the ROCB presented a comprehensive report highlighting major work undertaken in the region after the last meeting of the RSG held in May 2022. The progress and achievements in the context of the ESA Regional Strategy (2022-2025) were reported and discussed.
The meeting was very interactive and provided the opportunity for the delegates to share national practices and approaches relating to different topics such as (a) trade facilitation and integration, (b) efficient revenue mobilization and Customs modernization, (c) security, enforcement and compliance and (d) professionalism and partnership, allowing delegates to make contributions about the topics.
The WCO Secretariat made a presentation updating the meeting on some recent initiatives and emerging matters. In the presentation, delegates were informed that the WCO Council Sessions, held in June 2022, approved the WCO Strategic Plan (2022-2025) with the respective annual implementation plan. Furthermore, the Secretariat listed key emerging topics being discussed in WCO meetings, namely Data Analytics, Green Customs and Fragile Borders. The Secretariat shared with the meeting updated information concerning WCO capacity building work carried out in the region and others aspects, including regional accreditation issues, which the delegates considered important matters for the region.
For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.