On the 30 September 2019 the Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) launch event was held in Colombia. In order to mark this occasion and commit to a plan of activities jointly agreed between the WCO and the Customs Administration (CA), Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales de Colombia (DIAN), the WCO, DIAN and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), who funds the GTFP, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that frames this tripartite cooperation.

Over the next three years, the WCO will deliver capacity building support in both trade facilitation and organizational development. DIAN will benefit from a series of national and regional workshops, technical guidance and specific trainings, as well as coaching and follow-up in the thematic areas identified as being a priority for Colombia. With the support from this Programme, it is expected that the Administration can strengthen its capacities on risk driven customs procedures and post clearance audit along the best customs practices and international standards.

The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the project in Colombia also took place on the same day, formalizing the governance structure that will oversee the project in Colombia and give green light to the country work plans at national level.   Both DIAN and the members of this committee showed a strong commitment to pursuing the planned activities and the objectives of the GTFP that will support DIAN’s strategic objectives and priorities.

For more information on the GTFP please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org