Funding of a WCO Fellowship programme participant by the NORAD

November 2009

Thanks to the collaboration under the NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) fund on behalf of the SACU region (Southern Africa Customs Union), one candidate of that region could join the last WCO Fellowship programme intended for English-speaking officers.

Last October, Mr Ramonate Ramonate, officer from the Lesotho Revenue Authority, participated in the 50^th Fellowship Programme, which consisted in a 4-week programme in the WCO headquarters, during which he followed a management course and worked on his study topic: Organizational Infrastructure Set up and Implementation of Rules of Origin. These activities are in line with the actions undertaken under Columbus Programme Phase II. Dealing with the general application of Rules of Origin and focusing on the evaluation on control measures, Mr Ramonate’s study report was elaborated in collaboration with his WCO tutors. It includes recommendations that will be proposed to his administration for implementation.

He could also derive much benefit from a 2-week field study trip within the Customs administration of Norway, during which he learnt from the Norwegian experience generally speaking, but also more particularly in regard to the procedures and regulations related to the implementation of the rules of Origin. This practical approach enabled him to envisage new and wider perspectives to be applied within his own administration, to enhance its organizational development.

Both Mr. Ramonate and the WCO express their gratitude to the NORAD for making this fellowship possible and to the Norwegian administration for welcoming the candidate within the scope of his study tour.