Customs officials from 18 Middle East and North of Africa (MENA) Region countries met in Muscat, Oman from 24 to 28 March 2019, to discuss the capacity building needs and share knowledge and experience with regard to the modernisation initiatives of Customs administrations.

This is the first forum where all 18 members of the MENA region were all in attendance. The financial support from the WCO Reserve fund allowed for such unprecedented level of participation.

The five-day event interspersed with robust discussion amongst members on topics of common interest including the criteria for the establishment of regional training Centres. Delegates discussed the national Capacity building needs as well as the regional priorities and formulated the 2019/2020 annual Capacity building plan for the MENA region.

Mr. Ricardo Treviño Chapa, WCO Deputy Secretary General, delivered a keynote address which provided first-hand insights to delegates on the WCO Strategic Plan 2019-2022 highlighting the WCO priorities for the coming years.

During his mission in Muscat, the Deputy Secretary General Treviño Chapa visited Oman Customs Training Center and met with Colonel Khalifa bin Ali al-Syabi, Director General of Customs, Oman, to discuss further opportunities for collaboration and strengthen cooperation on issues such as best practices in Coordinated Border Management and intensive use of technologies.