(Muscat, Oman, 7-10 December 2015)
At the invitation of Oman Customs, the WCO, with the support of the Korean WCO Customs Cooperation Fund, conducted a workshop on the preparation of the implementation of the SAFE Framework of Standards (FoS) and an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme in Oman from 7 to 10 December 2015. 20 senior officials from various divisions of Oman Customs including risk management, procedures, legal, audit, seaport, airport and land border participated in the workshop.
Being part of the Royal Oman Police, Oman Customs recognizes its important role in border security. Oman Customs is already in the consolidation process of the implementation of its ‘Bayan system’ - an Integrated Customs Management System and Single Electronic Window. They have also implemented a risk management system in July 2015.
Based on the current national situation in Oman Customs, the WCO presented detailed information on the importance of supply chain security; the WCO SAFE FoS; Customs-Business partnership; AEO programme requirements, benefits, validation and authorization process; and successful case studies. The fundamental concepts of Trusted Person and Authorized Operator schemes contained in the RKC and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) respectively were also explained to the participants.
Representatives from the private sector participated in the workshop for a one-day joint session and provided their perspective and support of the envisaged Oman AEO programme.
Participants gained an enhanced understanding of the SAFE FoS, Customs’ role in the supply chain security, the value proposition of Customs-Business partnership, and the AEO implementation process. They jointly elaborated several challenges and potential solutions and developed a draft action plan based on the standards and criteria laid down in the SAFE Framework of Standards.
At the closing ceremony, Col. Khalifa Ali Alsiyabi, Assistant General Director of Oman Customs, Royal Oman Police, thanked the WCO for organizing the workshop and expressed his appreciation for the detailed discussions and recommendations that would further support the process of implementation of an AEO programme in Oman.