As part of the overseas component of the Indian Customs Administration Mid-Career Training Programme (MCTP), two delegations of high-level Customs officers visited WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium: the first one on 14 October and the second one on 28 October 2016.
The delegations were each time welcomed by the Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya, who explained, in his opening address, some of the main challenges faced by Customs in the current international trade environment, and the WCO initiatives to support its Members.
On these occasions, the Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, H.E. Mr. Manjeev Singh Puri also exchanged views with the audiences on the role India plays in international trade, including with the EU.
The meetings continued with a general introduction on the WCO, and with more specific presentations on current WCO activities under each Directorate. The WCO approach in countering illegal trade was discussed, with a specific focus on WCO programmes, as well as instruments and tools made available to Members.
Expertise was shared on the opportunities and challenges offered by e-commerce as well as on the Revised Kyoto Convention, being the blueprint for a modern Customs administration, the SAFE Framework of Standards which supports the security along the supply chain, and the WCO Data Model as well as the Single Window as a way to enhance Customs IT interoperability.
The WCO Revenue Package was discussed as well as the latest issues in the Origin, HS and Valuation areas in relation with the WCO strategic goals. The way the WCO and regional structures work together in support of capacity building delivery in the various WCO Regions was also explained, and notably for the Asia/Pacific Region, and how WCO Members can benefit from the major e-learning tool CLIKC!.