Thai Ambassador visits WCO Headquarters

Brussels, 18 January 2012

Report

H.E. Mr. Apichart Chinwanno, the Royal Thai Ambassador to the European Union, and eleven senior members of the Embassy visited the WCO on 18 January 2012 to familiarize themselves with the work being undertaken by the Secretariat as the WCO prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary this year.

Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya, welcomed the Ambassador and his delegation and said that their visit demonstrated the Thai government’s support for and commitment to the work of Customs, in particular Customs’ role in securing national borders, protecting society, facilitating trade, and ensuring connectivity.

The Deputy Secretary General, Sergio Mujica, provided the Thai delegation with background information on the history of the Organization, including the structure and work of the Secretariat, as well as its various priorities which were underpinned by the WCO’s Customs in the 21st Century strategic vision.

Ambassador Chinwanno appreciated the work being undertaken by the WCO Secretariat to assist Customs administrations through Customs capacity building initiatives which would ensure that they continued to play an effective role in national economic development, leading to increased international trade.