WCO Secretary General’s visit to Mozambique
26-28 February 2009
Report
Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited the Mozambique Revenue Authority from 26 to 28 February 2009 to discuss regional issues as well as follow-up on its customs modernization programme.
Mozambique Customs is the current Vice Chair and regional representative of the WCO East and Southern African (ESA) region. Both Director General Tivane and Mr. Mikuriya reviewed the outcome of the last Policy Commission in December in preparation for the next ESA regional meeting in May. They agreed that it would be essential for the region to discuss and adopt their position which should be well reflected in WCO policy matters. These include the global financial crisis, Customs in the 21st Century, capacity building and other items of interest for the region. They also took the opportunity to visit the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Project site at Ressano Garcia, Mozambique’s main border post with South Africa, and explored the way to share the OSBP experience at the regional level.
President Fernandes of the Mozambique Revenue Authority showed Mr. Mikuriya the non-intrusive inspection equipment at the seaport of Maputo. They discussed the way to improve its operation by incorporating enhanced risk management, which will reduce the burden of compliant traders. The Revenue Authority organized a session with all managers where many members expressed their interest in customs’ contribution to society through its efforts to protect the environment, the theme of this year’s International Customs Day.