Within the framework of the Capacity Building Programme, the World Customs Organization (WCO), with financial support from CCF Korea, organized a National Workshop on Rules of Origin for the Palestinian Customs Administration. This Workshop was conducted at the Regional Training Center in Amman, Jordan from 21 to 25 May 2017, and was attended by 20 officials and managers from Palestine Customs.

Palestine has taken steps to accede to the Agadir Agreement, currently linking Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. Furthermore, Palestine is part of the Pan-Euro-Med Convention between the EU, EFTA members, Faroe Islands, Turkey and Mediterranean countries participating in the Barcelona process.

Topics discussed during the Workshop included the key concepts for proper origin determination, and a number of related operational issues, such as the establishment of an efficient organization, provision of effective training and private sector outreach. 

During the Workshop, the WCO facilitators presented the Revenue Package initiatives, including the Guidelines on Preferential Origin Verification, Origin Certification and Advance Rulings, which have been designed to assist WCO Members in bringing the provisions in Free Trade Agreements into smooth operation. The WCO Comparative Study on Preferential Rules of Origin and the Database of preferential trade agreements were also presented.

Participants discussed specific areas of concern, including the lack of knowledge and use of the FTAs and challenges linked to administrative cooperation. Discussions also emphasized the importance of verifying the originating status of goods, rather than merely checking the authenticity of the Certificate of Origin.

During the Workshop, participants were eager to deepen their knowledge on the practical application of Rules of Origin and actively participated in practical exercises.

The knowledge and experience gained from the Workshop will assist the Administration in the correct application of Palestine’s Free Trade Agreements with other countries and will help Palestine benefit from the regional economic integration.

The Workshop concluded successfully with positive feedback from participants who greatly appreciated the insights and experiences shared during the event.