In a significant step toward strengthening technical assistance in the area of Rules of Origin (RoO), the World Customs Organization (WCO), in close cooperation with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), successfully conducted a Pre-Accreditation Workshop for Expert Trainers (ETs) in the MENA region. The event took place from 27 to 31 July 2025 at the WCO Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This initiative, sponsored by ZATCA, is part of the WCO's broader strategy to expand its global pool of accredited Expert Trainers. The goal is to ensure more agile and tailored responses to member-driven requests for capacity building in RoO, a critical component of international trade facilitation.
The workshop brought together eleven participants from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Over five intensive days, candidates were evaluated on a comprehensive range of competencies, including technical proficiency, practical application of RoO, communication and facilitation skills, advisory capabilities, and teamwork. Familiarity with WCO tools and instruments was also a key assessment criterion.
Many participants demonstrated strong expertise and a high level of commitment to advancing the WCO's capacity-building mandate. Those who successfully passed this first stage of the accreditation process will move on to the next phase: an in-field mission designed to assess their ability to deliver real-time training and advisory support. Upon successful completion of the full accreditation process, these experts will be formally added to the WCO roster of accredited Expert Trainers, becoming available to support Members worldwide in implementing and applying Rules of Origin.
This initiative reflects the WCO's continued dedication to empowering its members through high-quality, member-driven technical assistance and fostering regional expertise to promote more effective and sustainable trade facilitation practices.