The WCO STCE Programme has conducted a four days  training from 14th to 18th November on Strategic Trade Contorl Enforcement (STCE) in Tirana for Albanian and Kosovan Customs Officers. The event was a result of collaboration between WCO’s STCE Progamme and US Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program. Thirty Customs officials, fifteen from Albania and Kosovo Customs each having varied experience of different customs areas participated in the training. The event started with opening remarks delivered by the Director General of Albania Customs who strongly emphasized the need of capacity building within customs administrations to interdict illicit movement of strategic goods and to counter proliferation of WMDs.

The first day of the training focused on the conceptual framework associated with STCE while the next two days participants were familiarized with different kinds of strategic commodities and goods facilitating them to develop identification knowledge and skill. The last day was mostly dedicated to practical exercises and group discussions. The event was the second in the Western Balkans region this year, and it received very positive feedback.

Future training workshops are planned both in Brussels and across the WCO regions under the framework of its STCE Programme. For additional information please contact Adam Vas, STCE Programme Coordinator, Adam.Vas@wcoomd.org.