WCO welcomes Statement by APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade
Brussels, 5 June 2012
Press Release
The World Customs Organization (WCO) welcomes the Statement released by APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in Kazan, Russia from 4-5 June 2012 to discuss various trade issues, including supply chain security and global trade facilitation, under the chairmanship of Andrey Belousov, the Russian Federation’s Minister of Economic Development.
Recognizing the importance of further facilitation, simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures in APEC economies to make global trade more predictable, transparent and secure, the Ministers acknowledged the importance of applying international standards, such as the Revised Kyoto Convention and the SAFE Framework of Standards – both key WCO instruments.
“I am pleased that the WCO’s instruments are seen by APEC Trade Ministers as playing a key role in facilitating and securing international trade,” said WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya. “The Customs community is committed to supporting national Governments and regional groupings in their quest to promote secure trade and ensure economic competitiveness,” added Mikuriya.
The Ministers also emphasized the necessity for cooperative efforts among relevant fora on best practices to improve reliability of supply chains, effective risk management and diversification, in conjunction with relevant international organizations such as the WCO.
“Russia’s use of WCO standards as the basis for its Customs modernization programme and its promotion of regional integration through the Customs Union with Belarus and Kazakhstan are commendable,” said the Secretary General. “Russian Customs’ efforts are particularly notable as the country readies itself to host the APEC-2012 Leader’s Week in September 2012,” he added.
The Ministerial Meeting was also attended by representatives from the World Trade Organization (WTO, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the APEC Secretariat.
More information
APEC Trade Ministers Statement