Under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the German Alliance for Trade Facilitation, through GIZ, held a national training workshop on rules of origin for Côte d’Ivoire Customs. The workshop was held in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, from 22 to 26 May 2023 with the objective to assist Côte d’Ivoire in enhancing its knowledge and application of preferential rules of origin in the light of the imminent implementation of an advance rulings mechanism on a national level.
In their opening remarks, Ms Roseline Fischer, GIZ Director for the Côte d’Ivoire Advance Rulings Programme, and Colonel Germain Sere, Director of Training and Regulation representing the Director General of Customs, thanked the WCO and the EU for their support in building capacity on rules of origin and stressed the economic implications of advance rulings for the economic operators as well as for Customs. They recalled that advance rulings bring enhanced predictability and transparency which lead to enhanced levels of trade facilitation.
During the workshop participants worked on key concepts for proper origin determination, related operational and procedural issues, including origin certification and origin irregularities, as well as the establishment of efficient origin management. In addition, participants discussed specific areas of concern, including the low level of knowledge and use of the FTAs and challenges linked to verification of origin including trough administrative cooperation. They also discussed recommendations for better management and implementation of rules of origin on a national and regional level.
The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme will continue its work with Côte d’Ivoire Customs to equip Customs officials and relevant stakeholders with extended knowledge for efficient implementation and application of rules or origin. The Programme, still in partnership with the German Alliance for Trade Facilitation, will conduct an advanced training as well as a training of trainers which will enable Customs to further cascade their knowledge to colleagues as well as to other relevant stakeholders.
For further information please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org