Within the framework of the Capacity Building Programme, the WCO and the Customs Administration of Abu Dhabi jointly conducted a regional workshop on Rules of Origin in Abu Dhabi from 1 to 5 June 2014, attended by Customs officers from the MENA Region.

Topics discussed during this workshop included the key concepts for proper origin determination, and a number of related operational issues, such as the establishment of an efficient organization, provision of effective training and private sector outreach.

During the workshop, the WCO presented its Comparative Study on Preferential Rules of Origin and the Database of preferential trade agreements. The workshop also included a presentation of the WCO's Revenue Package initiative and the Guidelines on Preferential Origin Verification, which have been designed to assist WCO Members in bringing the verification provisions in Free Trade Agreements into smooth operation in the field.

Discussions during the regional workshop also emphasized the importance of verifying the originating status of goods, rather than merely checking the authenticity of the certificate of origin.