On 29th November, the WCO and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) signed an addendum to the initial Grant Agreement to expand funds for the WCO Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme for Customs, bringing Norway’s total contribution from EUR 5m to nearly EUR 8m. This additional funding will allow 6 more WCO Members to benefit from the technical assistance and capacity building provided through the Programme.
The Director General of Norwegian Customs, Mr Øystein Børmer, welcomes the expansion of the Norwegian contribution to A-CIP: “Norwegian Customs remains highly committed to the WCO anti-corruption agenda. Adopting systems and practices that restrict corrupt behavior and promote good governance in customs operations and administration is not only a pre-requisite for a functional customs organization and a healthy environment for business and trade; it also has wider implications for sustainable development and links to important cross-cutting issues such as gender equality and diversity. Anti-corruption work should remain high on the WCO capacity building agenda. I am happy more countries will now be able to benefit from the A-CIP Programme.”
For more information about the A-CIP Programme, please visit the WCO A-CIP Programme page, or contact capacitybuilding@wcoomd.org .